The summer months are the busiest time of year for visitors to kauri forests. We're expecting more than 10,000 people to visit Waipoua Forest, home of Tāne Mahuta, during the first two weeks of January.

Watch our new animation video about kauri dieback and what you can do to help.

Video: DOC

Boaties are being urged to bring in broken lines and rubbish from their fishing trips after a dead baby dolphin was recovered from Tāwharanui beach in Auckland.

"We all need to do our bit to keep New Zealand's natural environment free of litter." Thelma Wilson, Senior Ranger Biodiversity.

Image: (Supplied) | ©

Rangers share their favourite places to explore

Looking for new places to discover with your family this summer?

We asked our local experts – DOC rangers at Visitor Centres – to share their top picks for whānau-friendly places to explore during the summer holidays.

Image: Chrissy Wickes | DOC

New views and experiences in Glacier Valleys

State Highway 6 has reopened along with new viewpoints and tracks in the Franz Josef Valley and on the Fox Glacier South Side.

Visitors can enjoy the world-class experiences the region is famous for.

Image: Shellie Evans | ©

Drones vs birds

Flying drones in the vicinity of birds can be highly disturbing for them. A nesting colony of white-fronted terns were recently subject to a drone coming dangerously close in Murawai, leaving eggs and chicks at risk.

Read our guidelines on minimising bird disturbance when flying your drone.

Image: Simon Runting | ©

Join in Mahi Aroha 2020

This year's Central Plateau summer nature programme Mahi Aroha is running over January. There're plenty of fun whanāu-oriented events to connect you with nature and conservation.

Events include old favourites as well as new events such as a litter pick up and free gondola ride at Whakapapa Ski Area.

Image: Project Tongariro | ©

'Lead the Way' to protect native wildlife on coastlines

Several endangered species are at risk from dog attacks on our coastlines. The 'Lead the Way' programme aims to promote responsible dog ownership and reduce negative dog interactions with coastal wildlife.

Image: Crystal Brindle | DOC

Hunt safely and responsibly this summer

Summer sees a lot of different people out and about on conservation land, taking advantage of the holidays and long daylight hours.

When hunting be conscious of who else might be out there in the bush. Keep safe, know the rules and enjoy the summer hunting season.

Image: DOC

Putting pines in their place for Christmas

The pine: a classic tree of joyous festivities, or destructive pest?

Our Hawke’s Bay team headed out of the office with their Christmas tinsel and silky saws to investigate further.

Image: DOC

Rare lizard habitat protected

We welcome Cardrona Alpine Resort Limited’s decision to halt chairlift construction as it would disturb an extremely significant site for New Zealand’s native lizards.

Hundreds of lizards across five protected species (including two threatened species) would be affected by this development.

Image: Sabine Bernert | ©

Cape Kidnappers Gannet Reserve track to remain closed

The track is to remain closed while the results of a risk analysis report are fully reviewed.

“Visitor safety has to be our top priority." Jenny Nelson-Smith, Hawke’s Bay Operations Manager.

Image: DOC

Rock wren/tuke in the Haast Range

Check out this awesome video from a ranger in our alpine field team monitoring rock wren/tuke nests in the Haast Range.

At this time of year, endangered rock wrens will do anything for a precious feather to line their nests.

Video: DOC

Fiordland Bat Diaries: The Ettrick Burn part 2

The story continues from our native bat monitoring trips in Ettrick Burn, Fiordland.

The team spent a few nights catching bats in mist nets, fitting transmitters and then releasing them for tracking. However, fitting the transmitters is presenting the team with a few issues.

Video: Warren Simpson DOC

Two injured Northland kiwi returned home

After being injured and spending time at the Native Bird Recovery Centre in Whangarei, two kiwi made a trip back home to the Bay of Islands in full health. 

Image: DOC