Displaying 1 - 24 of 207 results.

The completed $3 million upgrade of Tasman Valley Road at Aoraki/Mount Cook was officially opened today by Conservation Minister Dr Nick Smith.

“The major upgrade of the Tasman Valley Road is about improving the safety and accessibility to New Zealand’s most spectacular alpine environment. This new road will enable over 100,000 visitors annually to enjoy the magnificent mountain, lake and glacial views of the Tasman Valley, and the unique flora and fauna including mountain lilies and daisies, and our unique mountain parrot, the kea,” Dr Smith says.

  • Nick Smith
  • Conservation

The Government is providing $90,000 from the Community Conservation Partnership Fund to support the Kea Conservation Trust, Conservation Minister Dr Nick Smith announced today.

  • Nick Smith
  • Conservation

Five new marine reserves were officially opened today by Conservation Minister Dr Nick Smith on the West Coast of the South Island to protect a range of marine ecosystems for conservation, science and recreation.

“These five new marine reserves on the West Coast effective from today are part of the Government’s plan to improve New Zealand’s marine conservation. We are a nation with some of the most spectacular and unique coastlines in the world and we need to recognise the importance and value of these marine habitats,” Dr Smith says.

  • Nick Smith
  • Conservation

The Government is providing $60,000 from the Community Conservation Partnership Fund to the Abel Tasman Birdsong Trust to support its work in removing wilding conifer in the Abel Tasman Park and translocating the saddleback (tieke) to the Park's Adele Island, Conservation Minister Dr Nick Smith announced today.

“Abel Tasman is a globally recognised National Park and the enhancement enabled by these grants will make it an even better place for visitors to enjoy some of the best our great outdoors has to offer,” Dr Smith says.

  • Nick Smith
  • Conservation

Results of aerial and ground surveillance of the Coromandel Peninsula show that the presence of Phytophythora taxon Agathis (PTA), or kauri dieback disease is not widespread in the area, Conservation Minister Dr Nick Smith and Primary Industries Minister Nathan Guy announced today.

  • Nathan Guy
  • Nick Smith
  • Primary Industries
  • Conservation

Associate Conservation Minister Nicky Wagner today announced more than $500,000 in funding for Waikato area conservation groups.

Tui 2000, QEII National Trust, Pirongia Te Aroaro o Kahu Restoration Society, Maungatautari Ecological Island Trust and the National Wetland Trust have all received grants from the Community Conservation Partnership Fund.

  • Nicky Wagner
  • Conservation

Associate Conservation Minister Nicky Wagner today announced $475,000 in funding for four Otago conservation projects.

Community Conservation Partnership Fund grants will be made to the Orokonui Ecosanctuary, Landscape Connections Trust, Otago Peninsula Biodiversity Group, and Herbert Heritage Group.

“The projects these groups are advancing align perfectly with the Department of Conservation’s goals of connecting more urban dwellers to conservation and working in partnership with others.

  • Nicky Wagner
  • Conservation

Conservation Minister Dr Nick Smith today announced Wildbase Recovery Community Trust is to receive a $90,000 grant from the Department of Conservation to put towards a new state-of-the-art rehabilitation facility for birds and wildlife.

  • Nick Smith
  • Conservation

The Government is to provide a $208,000 Community Conservation Partnership Fund grant over three years to Project Tongariro to advance the restoration and preservation of the largest wetland in the Taupō basin, Conservation Minister Dr Nick Smith announced today at a community event in Turangi.

  • Nick Smith
  • Conservation

A trust dedicated to protecting kiwi in eastern Coromandel has been awarded $25,000 for predator control, Associate Conservation Minister Nicky Wagner has announced.

The grant from the Community Conservation Partnership Fund will allow the Whenuakiwi Trust to continue its successful kiwi care project at Whenuakite by hiring a contractor to target predators such as possums and rats.

  • Nicky Wagner
  • Conservation

Associate Conservation Minister Nicky Wagner today announced the Kauri 2000 Trust has received $57,000 to help prevent the spread of Kauri Dieback disease on the Coromandel Peninsula.

The grant is from the Department of Conservation’s Community Conservation Partnership Fund.

“The Trust is spearheading efforts to establish and maintain a community based action network to help prevent the spread of kauri dieback by raising levels of awareness, and encouraging practical changes in behaviour to reduce the risk to Kauri in the Coromandel.

  • Nicky Wagner
  • Conservation

A ban on the finning of all shark species within New Zealand waters will take effect from 1 October this year, Conservation Minister Dr Nick Smith and Primary Industries Minister Nathan Guy announced today.

“Implementing this ban has happened much faster than originally proposed. It reinforces New Zealand’s strong international reputation for sustainability and protecting our natural environment,” Dr Smith says.

  • Nathan Guy
  • Nick Smith
  • Conservation
  • Primary Industries

Calls by Forest & Bird for the Department of Conservation to stop Bathurst Resources' preparatory mining work on the Denniston Plateau because of smoke coming from an old mine shaft are ill-informed, Conservation Minister Dr Nick Smith said today.

  • Nick Smith
  • Conservation

Plan changes to enable three new salmon farms in the Marlborough Sounds were signed off today by Conservation Minister Dr Nick Smith at a function at the Marlborough District Council with Mayor Alistair Sowman and representatives from NZ King Salmon.

  • Nick Smith
  • Conservation

A group of volunteers dedicated to clearing wilding trees around Flock Hill in upper Waimakariri is to receive a major funding boost, Associate Conservation Minister Nicky Wagner announced today.

Waimakariri Ecological and Landscape Restoration Alliance will receive $309,000 over the next three years from the Department of Conservation’s Community Conservation Partnership Fund.

“Wilding trees are now the most significant threat to biodiversity and infrastructure in the 60,000 hectares of public and privately owned lands in the upper Waimakariri Basin.

  • Nicky Wagner
  • Conservation

A new wharf designed to accommodate growing visitor numbers on Rangitoto Island in Auckland’s Hauraki Gulf/Tikapa Moana was formally opened today by Conservation Minister Dr Nick Smith.

  • Nick Smith
  • Conservation

Associate Conservation Minister Nicky Wagner today announced Conservation Volunteers New Zealand and West Coast branch of Forest and Bird have been awarded Community Conservation Partnership Fund grants.

Conservation Volunteers, which is a not for profit charitable entity, has been awarded $195,000 for a coastal amenities engagement programme.  It aims to develop community engagement in projects in Buller and Grey Districts.

  • Nicky Wagner
  • Conservation

The Mount Aspiring, Paparoa and Westland Tai Poutini National Parks have been expanded by 1250 hectares as a consequence of five blocks being added by Order in Council yesterday at Cabinet.

“These rich forests and river flats are valuable additions to these three national parks. The areas were previously privately-owned but were strategically acquired by the Government’s Nature Heritage Fund specifically because of their high conservation values and the value they added to the national parks,” Dr Smith says.

  • Nick Smith
  • Conservation

The Government is to provide a $744,000 Community Conservation Partnership Fund grant to the Kiwis for kiwi™ to support 80 community-led kiwi recovery programmes around New Zealand, Conservation Minister Dr Nick Smith announced today at Rainbow Springs with Rotorua MP Todd McClay.

“Kiwis once numbered in their millions but with predators and the loss of habitat now number 70,000. They will not exist for our grandchildren outside of sanctuaries if we do not step up our protection,” Dr Smith says.

  • Nick Smith
  • Conservation

Kia ora hei hui tātou katoa.

Can I acknowledge Gary Taylor and the Environmental Defence Society (EDS) for the first class discussion and engagement that goes with these annual EDS conferences.

  • Nick Smith
  • Conservation

New marine protected areas to conserve Kaikoura’s whales, dolphins, seals, albatrosses, rock lobster, shellfish and finfish were formally opened today by Conservation Minister Dr Nick Smith.

“Kaikōura has the most biologically rich ocean environment in the world at over 500 metres’ depth with its deep canyons so close to shore. This extraordinary marine environment needs the recognition and protection of these new reserves, sanctuaries and the tighter fishing limits that are being signed into effect tomorrow,” Dr Smith says.

  • Nick Smith
  • Conservation

New Zealand’s largest-ever conservation covenant of 53,000 hectares between Arrowtown and Wanaka was announced today by Conservation Minister Dr Nick Smith.

  • Nick Smith
  • Conservation

The Government is to provide a grant of $700,000 from the Community Conservation Partnership Fund to tramping, hunting and mountain biking clubs for 107 back country projects, Conservation Minister Dr Nick Smith announced tonight at the Nelson Tramping Club’s AGM.

  • Nick Smith
  • Conservation

Associate Conservation Minister Nicky Wagner today unveiled a new public sculpture in central Christchurch symbolic of nature and renewal.

  • Nicky Wagner
  • Conservation