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23 May, 2013

Denniston coal mine gains access approval

Conservation Minister Dr Nick Smith today announced his approval under the Crown Minerals Act for an access agreement for Bathurst Resources for its Escarpment Mining Project on the Denniston Plateau, near Westport.

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12 May, 2013

Shared vision for Mackenzie Basin welcomed

Conservation Minister Dr Nick Smith and Environment Minister Amy Adams today welcomed a report proposing a way to manage the contentious land intensification, water, landscape, and biodiversity issues in the Mackenzie Basin.

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9 May, 2013

Slice of Banks Peninsula bought for all to enjoy

A rare fragment of Banks Peninsula has been purchased by the Government and two trusts as a Scenic Reserve, Conservation Minister Dr Nick Smith announced today.

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8 May, 2013

Dunne welcomes High Court heli-hunting ruling

Associate Conservation Minister Peter Dunne has welcomed a High Court judgement dismissing a claim that he was biased in his approach to heli-hunting.

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3 May, 2013

Minister launches fundraiser for pest-proof fence

Conservation Minister Dr Nick Smith tonight launched a fundraising campaign to help create a wildlife sanctuary in a former council water reserve in Nelson’s Brook Valley.

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29 April, 2013

Budget 2013: Support for frontline conservation work

An additional $20 million over four years has been allocated to the Department of Conservation in Budget 2013 to provide for additional frontline roles and the upgrade of recreational facilities, Conservation Minister Nick Smith announced today.

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24 April, 2013

Minister thanks Director General for service to conservation

Conservation Minister Nick Smith today congratulated Al Morrison on his appointment as a Deputy Commissioner at the State Services Commission and thanked him for his 11 years of service at the Department of Conservation.

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23 April, 2013

Tongariro Alpine Crossing to re-open next month

The full Tongariro Alpine Crossing will re-open early next month in time for the winter trekking season, Conservation Minister Nick Smith announced today.

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14 April, 2013

Akaroa marine reserve approved

A new marine reserve in Akaroa Harbour has been approved by Conservation Minister Nick Smith.

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31 March, 2013

Minister explores options for Tongariro crossing

Options to re-open the full Tongariro Alpine Crossing for next summer after last year’s eruptions are being explored by Conservation Minister Dr Nick Smith, GNS Science, DOC staff, iwi, Taupo MP Louise Upston and representatives of the local tourism industry, during a visit over the weekend.

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15 March, 2013

Green geckos get greater international protection

New Zealand’s green geckos will be given greater protection against smuggling following a decision at the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) conference in Bangkok, Minister of Conservation Nick Smith announced today.

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10 March, 2013

Five new West Coast marine reserves approved

Minister of Conservation Dr Nick Smith today announced at the Bluegreens Forum in Levin he has formally approved the new Kahurangi, Punakaiki, Okarito, Tauparikaka and Hautai marine reserves totalling 17,500 hectares on the West Coast.

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7 March, 2013

$20 million DOC Fonterra partnership to restore wetlands

A 10-year partnership signed today between the Department of Conservation and Fonterra to restore waterways in Northland, Waikato, Canterbury and Southland is a major breakthrough, says Conservation Minister Hon Dr Nick Smith.

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5 March, 2013

Tauranga Port expansion plan approved

New Zealand will have access to shipping services from larger vessels with the granting of resource consents to widen and deepen the Port of Tauranga, Conservation Minister Dr Nick Smith announced today.

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28 February, 2013

Minister welcomes final King Salmon report

The final report of the Board of Inquiry on New Zealand King Salmon’s application to develop new marine farms in the Marlborough Sounds was welcomed today by Minister of Conservation Dr Nick Smith.

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27 February, 2013

Bucket-loads of help heading DOC’s way

Minister of Conservation Dr Nick Smith has welcomed the opening of the first buckets of 45,000 litres worth of paint provided by Dulux under a new $1.5 million conservation partnership announced today.

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24 February, 2013

Fiordland projects to be determined by Minister

Proposals for the Milford Dart Tunnel through Fiordland and Mt Aspiring National Parks and the Fiordland Link Experience of a catamaran, all-terrain vehicle track and monorail through the Snowdon Forest are to be determined by Conservation Minister Dr Nick Smith.

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24 February, 2013

Rare birds get back on track

The $1 million partnership between DOC and Air New Zealand to bring some of our most threatened birds back to our acclaimed Great Walks track network is a fantastic example of what can be achieved when business gets involved in conservation, says Minister of Conservation Dr Nick Smith.

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15 February, 2013

Purchase of unique North Otago reserve announced

Critically endangered plants and a rare limestone ecosystem have been protected through the purchase of a 20 hectare reserve at Gards Road, near Duntroon in the Waitaki Valley, Minister of Conservation Dr Nick Smith announced today.

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3 February, 2013

Minister opens Old Ghost Road cycle trail

Conservation Minister Nick Smith today opened a 26 kilometre section of the Old Ghost Road cycle trail in Buller.

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17 January, 2013

Thousands of campers flock to DOC campsites

Thousands of New Zealanders have taken time out to camp and relax in Department of Conservation campsites around the country this summer, Conservation Minister Kate Wilkinson says.

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13 December, 2012

Game Animal Council Bill reported back

Associate Minister of Conservation Peter Dunne has welcomed the report of the Local Government and Environment Select Committee on the Game Animal Council Bill sent back to the House today.

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11 December, 2012

Positive future for Wellington harbour islands

The signing of the Wellington Harbour Islands (WHI) Management Plan sets the future vision and management of Wellington’s three harbour islands, Conservation Minister Kate Wilkinson says.

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5 December, 2012

Subantarctic Islands Marine Reserves Bill – First reading speech

Mr Speaker, I move that the Subantarctic Islands Marine Reserves Bill be read for a first time.

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5 December, 2012

New Bill will create three marine reserves

Three marine reserves will be created under the Subantarctic Islands Marine Reserves Bill, Conservation Minister Kate Wilkinson says.

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4 December, 2012

Minister welcomes purchase of rare wetlands

Conservation Minister Kate Wilkinson is pleased the purchase of 5.6 hectares of land on the Miranda coast off the Firth of Thames will create a new scenic reserve to protect the area's chenier plains.

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3 December, 2012

Towards 2050 – A Pest Summit for New Zealand

It is a pleasure to be here today to officiate at the opening of this hugely important workshop.

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3 December, 2012

2012 Encore Awards

Community conservation is about actively involving people in projects that sustain and improve the natural environment.

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3 December, 2012

Two-day summit to tackle pest problem

Conservation Minister Kate Wilkinson today launched a two-day summit to look for new ways we can try and eradicate stoats, possums and rats - our three biggest pests.

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30 November, 2012

Minister congratulates Māori graduates

Conservation Minister Kate Wilkinson congratulated nine students who graduated from the Tauira Kaitiaki Taiao-Māori Cadetship Programme today.

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