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Department of Conservation stories

QBE provides support for the growth of a resilience culture
Disaster Recovery

QBE provides support for the growth of a resilience culture

Grant funding will back New Zealand groups tackling climate risk and inclusion, as QBE links recovery support to stronger resilience.

By Staff Writer • 4 min read • Sat, 27th Jun 2026
DOC launches satellite sensors trial in remote parks
Internet of Things

DOC launches satellite sensors trial in remote parks

Fewer helicopter checks and faster maintenance could save DOC more than $1 million over six years at hard-to-reach park sites.

By Joseph Gabriel Lagonsin • 4 min read • Wed, 22nd Apr 2026
One NZ & DOC partner to boost high-tech conservation efforts
Clean technologies

One NZ & DOC partner to boost high-tech conservation efforts

One New Zealand partners with the Department of Conservation to boost connectivity and tech for DOC rangers, enhancing conservation across remote New Zealand areas.

By Kaleah Salmon • 3 min read • Wed, 27th Aug 2025
AI cameras help save Motutapu Island's rare birds
Surveillance

AI cameras help save Motutapu Island's rare birds

A Norway rat has been eradicated from Motutapu Island in the Hauraki Gulf with the use of DOC's AI camera.

By Sean Mitchell • 3 min read • Tue, 8th Oct 2024
Herenga ā Nuku launches offline topographic maps for Pocket Maps
Maps

Herenga ā Nuku launches offline topographic maps for Pocket Maps

Herenga ā Nuku Aotearoa unveils a new topographic basemap for its Pocket Maps app, combining offline access and detailed terrain info to aid outdoor enthusiasts.

By Kaleah Salmon • 2 min read • Wed, 29th May 2024
Water quality goals ‘extremely challenging’
Northland

Water quality goals ‘extremely challenging’

Three-quarters of Aotearoa’s land is adding too much E. coli to waterways, with farms facing the biggest cuts to meet national targets.

By Staff Writer • 6 min read • Thu, 30th Nov 2023
New tool to advise of New Zealand’s snow conditions
Risk & Compliance

New tool to advise of New Zealand’s snow conditions

Public access to near real-time snow data should help alpine operators, rescuers and tourists plan for New Zealand winters.

By Michael Curreen • 2 min read • Tue, 14th Jun 2022
Business facing liquidation after double fatality
Risk & Compliance

Business facing liquidation after double fatality

The operator’s failure to register and train staff properly has left it facing liquidation after being fined GBP £595,000 over two tourist deaths.

By Michael Curreen • 5 min read • Wed, 26th Jan 2022
Work begins on new Wellington reservoir
Earthquakes

Work begins on new Wellington reservoir

Residents could soon have 48 hours’ water supply in an earthquake as work starts on a GBP £68 million Wellington reservoir.

By Staff Writer • 4 min read • Tue, 15th Dec 2020
New wind farm will power 40,000 homes
Power / Energy

New wind farm will power 40,000 homes

The project will add 93 MW of capacity and offset 100,000 tonnes of CO2 a year as MainPower begins site works near Waipara.

By Staff Writer • 3 min read • Thu, 25th Jun 2020
A budget for our times
Education, Learning & Training

A budget for our times

New Zealand’s wage subsidy extension and infrastructure spending are meant to blunt soaring unemployment as the economy heads into recession.

By Staff Writer • 13 min read • Fri, 15th May 2020
Is tourism destroying New Zealand?
University of Canterbury

Is tourism destroying New Zealand?

Rising visitor numbers are putting New Zealand’s lakes, tracks and towns under strain, with a watchdog warning current policy will not curb damage.

By Staff Writer • 6 min read • Fri, 10th Jan 2020
PhD student's wildlife-monitoring drone wins award
Drones

PhD student's wildlife-monitoring drone wins award

A Massey University PhD student's innovative drone for monitoring New Zealand's endangered yellow-eyed penguins has won the Innovate 2018 competition.

By Sara Barker • 3 min read • Wed, 5th Dec 2018
New Zealand’s largest infrastructure project takes top sustainability award
Supply Chain

New Zealand’s largest infrastructure project takes top sustainability award

Auckland’s rail link has cut construction waste and emissions sharply, showing big infrastructure can hit sustainability targets while easing congestion.

By Staff Writer • 4 min read • Sun, 2nd Dec 2018
From San Francisco to the Southern Ocean: The tale of a Saildrone shipwreck
Drones

From San Francisco to the Southern Ocean: The tale of a Saildrone shipwreck

The case of a missing saildrone that set off from San Francisco three years ago has finally been solved right here in New Zealand.

By Sara Barker • 3 min read • Wed, 29th Aug 2018
More data essential to determine land impacts
Sustainability

More data essential to determine land impacts

New Zealand’s ability to track land degradation and biodiversity loss is being hampered by patchy national data, experts warn.

By Staff Writer • 5 min read • Tue, 24th Apr 2018
E-planning council project recognised in national planning awards
Smart Cities

E-planning council project recognised in national planning awards

The first digital district plan in New Zealand has won the NZPI's top honour for improving access for planners and the public.

By Staff Writer • 3 min read • Tue, 27th Mar 2018

Global Stories

Department of Conservation stories

University of Sydney taps into AWS to save threatened species
EduTech

University of Sydney taps into AWS to save threatened species

Researchers at the University of Sydney are using Amazon Web Services to analyse genetic data and develop strategies to save Australia's threatened species.

By Sara Barker • 2 min read • Tue, 28th Apr 2020