Latest fromDepartment of Conservation

The H Files: Last days for historic Mt Cook hut
Avalanche memorial hut to go after falling into disrepair and low usage.

Two bodies found in car at Hawke's Bay hot pools
Mystery over discovery of bodies near remote forest campsite.

Watch live: An 'inside view' of a shark dissection
The livestream begins at 2pm and will run for about two and a half hours.

Myrtle rust found for first time on DOC land
Fungus can adversely affect myrtle species, including pohutukawa, manuka and kanuka.

DOC staff to stop using Robinson helicopters
Safety concerns prompt DOC to stop using Robinson helicopters.

The cost of Shane Jones' billion trees
About $61.7 million worth of projects were announced at the Provincial Growth Fund launch.

Photographer finds decapitated seal in picture
Dunedin man unwittingly photographs gruesome scene.

Search for Rangitoto cat abandoned
Predator detection dogs did their best but cat has disappeared.

King of the lizards makes a comeback
Duvaucel's geckos can grow up to 30cm long and live to be 70 years old.

Artist calls for action on Hauraki Gulf 'time bomb'
A new art exhibition highlights an environmental "time bomb" in the Hauraki Gulf.

World-famous kākāpō Sirocco reappears
New Zealand's "spokesbird for conservation" has been found after being lost for two years.

Cat sighting on Rangitoto Island taken 'very seriously'
Two conservation dogs are being sent to Rangitoto Island after sightings of a black cat.

Potential cat on predator-free Rangitoto
The island is home to threatened native species at risk of being preyed on by predators.

Cat spotted on predator-free Rangitoto Island
Cat sighting on predator-free Rangitoto Island

Sea lion pup goes missing
NZ sea lion gave birth on NYE & had been raising it at Harwood until a few weeks ago.

Chathams blaze poses risks for next two weeks
A Chatham Islands wildfire has destroyed 3000ha and can take another 14 days to control.

Freediver William Trubridge swims with whales
He described the moment as "beautiful" and "other-worldly".

Penguin dies following dog attack
DoC urges dog owners to be vigilant after rare visitor to Mainland dies.

Local Focus: Escaping floods and cats
A colony of the world's most threatened gull species, the endemic black-billed gull, has successfully bred in Hawke's Bay despite major obstacles. Made with funding from NZ On Air.

Escaping floods and Puss
The threatened black-billed gull has defied the odds. Made with funding from NZ On Air.

Tiritiri Matangi rat caught after two-week hunt
Tiritiri Matangi has been free of rats and other animal pests since 1993.

Tourists 'ruining' New Zealand's finest walk
Tickets for the Milford Track sold out in 90 minutes last year.

Teen's drone footage of hammerhead sharks
Zach Judkins, 14, captured a video of smooth hammerhead sharks at Gooseberry Flat Beach.

Outrage after offal dumped in popular swimming spot
Sheep stolen from farm, butchered, then dumped in precious dune lake.

Local Focus: Native treetops are like Avatar without the CGI
A chance to witness our incredible native tree canopies. Made with funding from NZ On Air.

Seismic surveys may be hurting penguins
Oil surveys may impact the foraging habits of korora in the South Taranaki Bight.

DOC: 'Campers chopped down trees to improve views'
The trees are believed to have been cut down so campers could have sea views.

Rat tracks found on predator-free island
Rats have been discovered on an island sanctuary near Auckland.

Sea lions stage home invasion in family's back yard
"Mostly they've been not threatening ... but occasionally I get a bit freaked out": Owner