Kaitiaki gather in Heretaunga to advance freshwater restoration at Māori Fisheries forum
Māori freshwater fisheries advocates and kaitiaki have gathered in Heretaunga to discuss the future of restoring New Zealand's rivers, lakes, and aquatic life.
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Call for Māori-led Ocean Governance as 2026 Election Spotlights Marine Health
Environmental law expert Professor Elizabeth Macpherson advocates for a Treaty-centred approach to ocean management, highlighting the essential role of iwi and hapū in protecting New Zealand's vast marine ecosystems.
Lincoln University Researchers Launch Indigenous-Led Ngahere Kai Food Forest Trial
A team of researchers at Lincoln University has begun a ngahere kai trial to test how traditional Indigenous food forest systems can enhance biodiversity and food security in Aotearoa.
Ōnuku Rūnanga turns invasive seaweed into sustainable export to protect Akaroa Harbour
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Maungatautari welcomes more kākāpō and Mahoenui giant wētā in landmark release
Two kākāpō and over 100 Mahoenui giant wētā have been released at Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari as part of an ongoing partnership between mana whenua, iwi, and conservation agencies.
Kāwhia Trust Installs Barrier to Protect Vunerable Kaimoana Beds and Shorebird Nests
The Onepū Charitable Trust has taken decisive action to protect the Kāwhia environment by installing a wooden pole barrier to stop vehicles from driving over sensitive pipi beds and fish spawning grounds.
Government Invests $3 Million to Restore Northland’s Lake Ōmāpere
A $3 million grant from the Regional Infrastructure Fund will support a project led by the Lake Ōmāpere Trust to restore the health of Northland's largest lake.
Ngāti Pāoa leads Waiheke moana restoration through rangatiratanga and local initiatives
Ngāti Pāoa Iwi Trust is advocating for mana whenua-led marine protection on Waiheke Island, highlighting successful restoration projects including paua re-seeding and kina removal.
Waikato Freshwater Project Wins National Award for Protecting Taonga Tuna Species
The Ngā Rerenga ki te Moana initiative has received the environmental stewardship honour at the 2026 SuperLocal Awards for its fish-friendly flood pump technology.
Rotorua Diverts 180 Tonnes of Organic Waste in New Sustainability Push
Rotorua households have successfully diverted 180 tonnes of food and garden waste from landfill within the first two weeks of a new collection service designed to support environmental sustainability and kaitiakitanga.
Kaitiakitanga in Action: Ngawaka Whānau Restore Māhuki Island Ecosystem
Kaumātua Opo Ngawaka and his whānau are leading a multigenerational effort to restore the natural environment and establish a papakāinga on Māhuki Island in the Hauraki Gulf.
Meridian Energy commits $2.5 million to native forest restoration and tangata whenua partnerships
Meridian Energy is launching Forever Forests 2.0, a $2.5 million initiative to expand native biodiversity and explore restoration partnerships with tangata whenua.
National outlines plan to bolster Tīkapa Moana protection through commercial fishing bans
Former Conservation Minister Tama Potaka has announced that a National-led government would reinstate bans on commercial ring-net fishing in high-protection areas of the Hauraki Gulf.
Conservation Group Welcomes Marine Protection Pledge for Waiheke and Tīkapa Moana
Friends of the Hauraki Gulf has welcomed a commitment from the National Party to establish a new marine reserve off Waiheke Island and expand protection at Goat Island.
National Party Unveils $20 Million Fisheries Fund and New Marine Protections for Tīkapa Moana
The National Party has announced a major fisheries policy ahead of the 2026 election, promising a $20 million innovation fund and expanded marine reserves to protect Aotearoa’s oceans for future generations.
Waitākere Recycling Trial Diverts 73 Percent of Waste from Landfill with Financial Incentives
A new Auckland Council initiative at Waitākere Resource Recovery Park is successfully diverting up to 73 percent of waste from landfill by offering residents a 15 percent discount for sorting recyclables.
Earth Sciences NZ Monitors El Niño and Kelvin Waves to Support Whānau and Farmers This Summer
Scientists at Earth Sciences New Zealand are tracking strong El Niño signals and Kelvin waves in the Pacific to help rural communities and whānau prepare for shifting weather patterns across Aotearoa this summer.
Ngāti Pāoa Advocates for Mana Whenua Leadership in Hauraki Gulf Restoration
Ngāti Pāoa Trust chair Herearoha Skipper is calling for iwi-led marine protection to restore shellfish abundance and habitats in Tīkapa Moana.
Wētāpunga Recovery Hailed as Conservation Success with Support from Ngāti Manuhiri
The wētāpunga, New Zealand’s heaviest insect, is making a significant recovery from the brink of extinction thanks to a collaborative breeding programme supported by Ngāti Manuhiri.
Kauri Come Home: 2,000 Seedlings Planted in Te Wao Nui o Tiriwā Restoration Milestone
Mana whenua Te Kawerau ā Maki and partners have planted nearly 2,000 young kauri in the Waitākere Ranges, marking a significant step in protecting the taonga species from dieback.
University of Waikato Academic Examines Impact of RMA Overhaul on Te Tiriti and Kaitiakitanga
Associate Professor Linda Te Aho discusses the implications of New Zealand's new planning and environmental laws for Māori participation and kaitiakitanga following the passage of major reforms.
Massive Restoration Milestones Reached with Half a Million Native Plants Across Waikato
The Waikato region has achieved a significant environmental milestone with over 559,000 native plants established and 155 kilometres of fencing completed during the 2025/26 year.
Iwi-led Floating Solar Project to Support Dannevirke Whānau with Energy Hardship
Rangitāne o Tamaki nui-ā-Rua has partnered with Tararua District Council to launch a floating solar array that provides clean energy while funding electricity relief for local families.
Greenpeace activists occupy RV Tangaroa to protest deep-sea mineral exploration
Activists have boarded the research vessel Tangaroa in Wellington to protest state-owned involvement in deep-sea mining exploration that threatens the cultural and economic health of the Pacific moana.
New planning laws replace Resource Management Act with focus on long-term regional strategy
Parliament has passed the Planning Bill and Natural Environment Bill to replace the 35-year-old Resource Management Act, shifting decision-making toward national standards and regional spatial planning.
Government and Ngāti Raukawa Partner to Upgrade Te Waihou Blue Spring Infrastructure
The Government has announced a $675,000 investment to upgrade visitor infrastructure at Te Waihou Blue Spring, working alongside South Waikato District Council and Ngāti Raukawa.
Ngāti Rehua Ngātiwai ki Aotea Leads Massive Feral Cat Eradication to Restore Whenua
An iwi-led conservation project on Aotea Great Barrier Island is undertaking one of the world's largest feral cat removal operations to protect native species and heal the local community.
Patuharakeke Te Pou Taiao and Council Discover Rare Geckos in Te Ākau Sand Dunes
Patuharakeke Te Pou Taiao and the Northland Regional Council have identified a Northland green gecko in the Bream Bay dunes, marking a significant win for local kaitiakitanga.
Karure the black robin crowned 2026 Bird of the Year after record turnout
The karure, a black robin from Rēkohu that once faced extinction with only five birds remaining, has been voted Aotearoa New Zealand’s favourite bird for 2026 in a record-breaking competition highlighting a decades-long conservation effort.
Thousands March in Auckland to Defend Te Taiao and Kaitiakitanga
Approximately 12,000 people took to the streets of Auckland on Saturday for the March for Nature, protesting proposed changes to the Conservation Amendment Bill that could impact the protection of indigenous biodiversity.
Green Party pledges $200m for Te Reo Māori and Tiriti-led conservation reset
Green Party co-leader Marama Davidson has unveiled a major 2026 election platform combining a $200 million investment in te reo Māori with a total overhaul of conservation laws to prioritize kaitiakitanga and shared decision-making.
National Restoration Effort Escalates as Īnanga Classification Shifts to Nationally Vulnerable
Conservationist Nic Naysmith is leading a nationwide effort to train iwi, hapū, and local communities to protect the critical spawning grounds of īnanga following a serious new Department of Conservation threat assessment reclassifying the species.
Iwi and Environmentalists Lead Landmark Fisheries Appeal over Northland Crayfish
A major legal challenge led by Ngāti Kaharau, Ngāti Hau, and the Environmental Law Initiative reaches the Court of Appeal this week, seeking to ensure government catch limits are backed by scientific evidence to protect marine ecosystems.
Mana whenua-led collaboration prepares Pukekura wildlife for H5N1 arrival
Te Poari a Pukekura has implemented a comprehensive response plan to protect vulnerable native species, including the northern royal albatross, from the H5N1 bird flu strain.
Karure edges ahead of Kākāpō in final hours of Bird of the Year 2026 contest
The karure has surged into a narrow lead over the kākāpō in the final stretch of Te Manu Rongonui o te Tau, marking what Forest & Bird calls the closest contest in the history of the 74-species conservation race.
Climate Education Key to Empowering Rangatahi and Upholding Kaitiakitanga
University of Auckland expert Professor John Morgan highlights how climate education can bridge scientific knowledge with mātauranga Māori to prepare the next generation for a changing world.
First Toroa Fledglings Depart Pukekura/Tairaoa Head for Pacific Journey
The first Royal Albatross chicks of the season have begun their 9,000-kilometre journey from the Otago Peninsula to South America, marking a successful conservation milestone for local iwi and the Department of Conservation.
New IVL Funding to Support Whangamarino Wetland Restoration and Māhoenui Giant Wētā Breeding
Conservation Minister Tama Potaka has announced a combined $2.075 million investment to restore the Whangamarino wetland and boost a Māhoenui giant wētā breeding programme in partnership with Ngāti Maniapoto.
Kiwitahi return to Rangatauanui marks major milestone for Ngāti Rangi restoration efforts
Local iwi Ngāti Rangi are celebrating the sighting of a young kiwi at Lakes Reserve, a significant success for a decades-long ecological restoration programme near Ohakune.
Mana Whenua Partner in Expanded Te Wai Takamori o Te Awa Kairangi Flood Protection Project
Mana whenua are playing a central role in a $535.4 million infrastructure project to protect Lower Hutt communities and restore the mauri of the Te Awa Kairangi river.
Kaitiakitanga in Action: Ngamotuaroha Trust Protects Motukawao Islands Sanctuary
The Ngamotuaroha Trust is upholding their role as kaitiaki by enforcing trespass notices to protect the pest-free Motukawao Islands sanctuary from unauthorized commercial landings and waste.
Rugby League Legend Tāwera Nikau Advocates for Taonga Species at National Hui
Former Kiwi international Tāwera Nikau is leading the charge for environmental restoration, highlighting the urgent need to protect over 3,700 of Aotearoa’s threatened native species.
Kaitiakitanga at Center Stage as Strong El Niño Forecast for Spring 2026
Māori communities and farmers are preparing for a powerful El Niño event expected to peak in late 2026, bringing significant weather contrasts across Aotearoa.
New Investment to Restore Southern Scallop Fishery in Tasman and Golden Bays
The Government and industry partners, including Top of the South iwi, are investing over $5 million to restore the Challenger scallop fishery and revitalize marine habitats.
Kaitiaki lead efforts to save rare ngutukākā as biodiversity crisis deepens
Tāngaro Tuia te Ora – Endangered Species Foundation has highlighted the critical role of Māori-led kaitiakitanga in Tairāwhiti to revive wild ngutukākā populations facing extinction.
Maipi-Clarke advocates for Waikato River restoration amidst policy delays
Hauraki-Waikato MP Hana-Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke is championing the long-term restoration of the Waikato and Waipā rivers, emphasizing the Crown's enduring Treaty commitments to the health of these ancestral waters.
Inaugural Endangered Species National Hui to Unite Iwi and Scientists in Kirikiriroa
The first Endangered Species National Hui will convene in Kirikiriroa this week, bringing together iwi, scientists, and rangatahi to develop collective solutions for Aotearoa’s biodiversity crisis.
Tipa Mahuta Champions Years of Collaborative Work to Restore Waikato and Waipā Rivers
Waikato-Tainui environmental leader Tipa Mahuta is advocating for the continued restoration of the Waikato and Waipā Rivers, highlighting 14 years of collaborative work between iwi, farmers, and the community.
Waikato-Tainui and Green MP Hūhana Lyndon Defend Health of Awa Against Legislative Delays
Waikato-Tainui and Green MP Hūhana Lyndon are advocating for the health of the Waikato and Waipā rivers following the Government's decision to defer key environmental protections until 2032.
Mātauranga Māori Reshapes Flood Science at Te Pokohiwi o Kupe
A groundbreaking partnership between Rangitāne o Wairau and scientists is integrating Māori knowledge into flood models to protect ancestral identity and wāhi tapu.
DOC Trials Satellite and AI Technology to Protect Waikato Wetlands from Invasive Golden Dodder
The Department of Conservation is using high-resolution satellite imagery and machine learning to detect invasive golden dodder in the Whangamarino wetland and Lake Whangape.
Restoration of Waikato and Waipā Rivers Continues Amid RMA Policy Changes
A landmark 80-year programme to restore the health and wellbeing of the Waikato and Waipā rivers reaches a new milestone as Te Ture Whaimana remains the central focus.
Waikato and Waipā River Restoration Facing Six-Year Delay Following Government Intervention
The Waikato River Authority and Hauraki-Waikato MP Hana-Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke are sounding the alarm over government decisions to defer Plan Change 1, warning the delay threatens decades of restoration work.
Ngāti Te Ata Waiohua collaborate with authorities following gold clam discovery
Mana whenua Ngāti Te Ata Waiohua are working alongside Biosecurity New Zealand and Auckland Council to protect the mauri of ancestral waters after invasive gold clams were detected near Waiuku.
Iwi-Led Restoration Efforts Offer Path Forward for Tīkapa Moana Ecosystems
Mana whenua and local communities are leading vital ecosystem restoration projects, including mussel bed recovery and kina barren management, to protect the mauri of the Hauraki Gulf.
Landmark Climate Challenge Reaches Supreme Court to Protect Te Tiriti Rights and Future Generations
Ngāpuhi and Ngāti Kahu advocate Michael John Smith is challenging the Crown in the Supreme Court over its climate change response, seeking to protect Māori cultural rights and the well-being of descendants.
Muriwai o Whata Wetland Restoration Receives Over $500,000 Support
Te Taumutu Rūnanga has been awarded a $521,733 grant from the Department of Conservation Community Fund to restore the biodiversity and cultural health of Muriwai o Whata in Canterbury.
Fiordland Mountain Officially Named Mount Kirk to Honour Lake Manapouri Legacy
A 1,436-metre peak in Fiordland National Park has been officially named Mount Kirk to recognise the former Prime Minister’s role in preserving the natural levels of Lakes Manapouri and Te Anau.
Rotokākahi Board of Control Prevails in Legal Action to Protect Sacred Rotorua Lake
The Rotokākahi Board of Control has successfully challenged the Rotorua council in court over the handling of a sewerage pipe near the tapu Lake Rotokākahi.
Nationwide demonstrations support kaitiakitanga amidst conservation law reforms
Around 30 protests are set to take place across Aotearoa as communities and tangata whenua advocate for the protection of whenua and the upholding of Te Tiriti o Waitangi principles.