Out and About New Zealand

Vast spaces of unspoilt Nature beckons

Department of Conservation

There are many things that make up being a ‘Kiwi’, but one in particular stands out.

People who are born here and people who have adopted New Zealand as their new home have a unique connection to the land and to the environment.

We all value living in the most beautiful country in the world.

Our relatively untouched natural environment is due to a number of factors.

We are located at the bottom of the world, naturally isolated geographically and we have a relatively small population, and, by world standards, humans settled here quite late.

Hence, the human footprint is less noticeable and nearly all New Zealander want to keep it that way.

Conservation land

Today, more than 8.7 million hectares (about 30% of New Zealand’s area) is public conservation land, managed by the Department of Conservation (DOC) on behalf of the people of New Zealand.

There is a lot more that is owned and looked after by iwi, companies, organisations, and private individuals driven by the desire to maintain and enhance natural Aotearoa.

2000 DOC staff work across the country to maintain forests and land, marine parks and islands, remove pests, protect native flora and fauna, and champion the natural environment.

Importantly, they work in partnership with groups and Trusts to ensure that a combined approach to the common goal of conservation.

Special campaigns

Education, from advice to the Minister to school programmes and public and special interest campaigns, is central to what the Department does.

DOC also maintains and protects more than 12,000 archaeological and historical sites that tell the story of our past.

Much of our rich historical and cultural heritage sits within our parks.

This encompasses early Maori pās and fortifications, to European settlement, farming and mining, to 20^th century activities where many new cultures arrived to make up the rich mix we are today.

Spectacular environment

For residents and visitors alike, DOC’s work means access to spectacularly beautiful, unspoilt and protected natural environments.

Much of the Department’s focus is to provide ways that everyone, from the fit backcountry tramper to families and the less mobile of all ages, has the chance to experience our conservation spaces.

DOC looks after 326 campsites, 967 huts and 13,429 km of tracks.

Whether it is the world renowned Great Walks, moderately challenging three day hikes, and/ or the smooth pushchair and wheelchair accessible walkways on Tiritiri Matangi and Motuihe Islands in the Hauraki Gulf, there is a place for everyone.

Vast greenspaces

Around Auckland alone there are some 4000 greenspaces – many of them DOC managed or owned by local Councils.

Whether they are a short drive or a ferry ride away, or just at the end of your neighbourhood, they are all of ours to enjoy and to care about.

With many of the Hauraki Gulf islands being pest-free havens for our precious native birds to survive and thrive, there’s nowhere on the planet that is so easy to ‘step into nature’ and experience the world the way nature intended it to be.

Watch for articles about our marine parks, local conservation spaces, and the wonderful native flora and fauna to keep an eye out for.

For more information about the places you can visit or to learn more about DOC at www.doc.govt.nz

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