Toilet backlog closes NZ’s favourite alpine hut walk for 'foreseeable future'
NZ's most popular hut has been closed to day walkers after a busy summer.
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Latest fromDepartment of Conservation
Blocked loo causes 'frustration' for Mt Cook trampers
A popular trail has been closed because the toilets are too full, causing frustration.
Penguins are not sick, just moulting
DoC asks people to leave little blue penguins alone as they come ashore to moult.
Explained: The bigger picture behind the Port Hills fire
With most of summer over, NZ is only beginning to get its most dangerous fire conditions.
And then there were four: Another kākāpō removed from sanctuary
More than half the kākāpō in the mainland sanctuary trial have now been sent home.
Visiting the oldest tree in the forest
Walkers share highlights from one of the many treks on offer in the central North Island.
Celtic cross discovered on ancient Kaimanawa wall near Lake Taupō
An amateur historian scraped off moss to discover a carved symbol.
The place where wetlands are increasing, not decreasing
The project has created 10ha of wetland and preserved a remnant native forest.
‘Senseless, sickening’: Swastikas painted on DoC hut
Vandals have painted swastikas on a restored backcountry hut on the West Coast.
North Shore 'poisoning' mystery: Calls for calm as suspicion grows
Results of MPI testing are in - but offer no answers.
‘Bat central’: Critically endangered mammals found in Central Hawke’s Bay
Colony of flying mammals found in farm-shed roof in Central Hawke's Bay.
Historic two-storey Napier courthouse sold, but to whom?
In Crown hands 150 years, sale plans were revealed by new owners in late October.
'In a pretty bad way': Three pilot whales die in 24 hours on Baylys Beach
A few hundred people attended the stranding on Monday. Refloating attempts were in vain.
Stranded whale dies at Christchurch beach
Officials are planning a recovery operation for the seven-metre-long fin whale.
The small but mighty battle it out in NZ Bug of the Year
Contestants need a hard outer shell to make it in this competition.
Mahia shark warning issued after mass ‘whale’, dolphin stranding
Several shark species feed on whales and dolphins, including their carcasses.
Fight for historic Ruapekapeka Pā battle grounds continues
More hapū management is part of the action plan for the next three years.
Tourist death: DoC launch investigation after young girl fell from rock near viewing platform
The Department of Conservation will launch an internal investigation into the death.
More kākāpō exiled from Waikato sanctuary
The birds arrived at Sanctuary Mountain in July and September last year.
‘Whale poo’ discovery could make Whangaruru local $20,000 richer
A chance beach discovery by a Northland local was nothing to sniff at.
International rugby player killed endangered NZ birds and boasted on Instagram
'We f**kn love birds ay.'
Black, white and all over the runway: Penguin delays flights at Wellington Airport
Flightlessness didn’t stop a penguin from storming the runway at Wellington.
DoC wants a track to Cathedral Cove but no guarantees
A solution that is not resilient to climate change is not an option, DoC says.
Hundreds of protected birds take up residence in small North Island town
There are mixed feelings over the arrival of the 200-strong colony.
Risky and closed but 'thousands' still walking to Cathedral Cove
DoC has removed staff from the site because of public abuse.
Watch: Mass stranding - desperate attempt to save whales at Hawke’s Bay beach
Locals flocked to a beach in Mahia to try to save the stranded pilot whales.
Booming sea lion population has surfers, golfers, motorists on high alert
Pregnant sea lions are moving further inland than usual to give birth.
Video of man holding struggling gull by neck prompts call for 'punishment'
'I'll break your neck,' the man says in the video as others can be heard laughing.
Not 'a turkey': Tanker driver helps kākāpō dodge death
Motorist who saved a kākāpō from a Waikato highway initially thought it was a turkey.
Government asked to fund new 3000ha protected bird area
Zealandia founder Jim Lynch described the proposal as a 'super sanctuary'.
'Doubled' capacity: Inside the new home of NZ's largest kiwi hatchery
The first kiwi chick has already been born at the new facility.
'Destructive': Napier bird colony threatened by vandals
Residents are being asked to report incidents to an emergency hotline.
'Fish can't scream': Pregnant shark dragged to shore, cut open while still alive
Graphic video shows the shark being cut open and her live babies spilling out.
Make tracks! Busiest walking trails this summer revealed
Which trails are expecting the most footfall this Summer?