Category: Environment

Source: Department of Conservation

Date:  29 April 2025

Lake Marian Falls and Lake Marian Track are about 30 km from Milford Sound/Piopiotahi on the lower Hollyford Road off State Highway 94.

Lake Marian Falls’ new platform will be semi-circular and positioned to allow visitors to enjoy the dramatic waterfalls and water-sculpted rocks, away from the river’s edge.

The platform will also mark the start of the advanced Lake Marian Track, which continues past the falls up to Lake Marian/Hinepipiwai.

Lake Marian Track (advanced tramping) is closed until approximately 30 May while the platform is built. The timing of construction should be less disruptive to visitors as the track is busiest in summer.

Access along the Lake Marian Falls Track (easy walking) will be limited over the construction period. It won’t be possible to view the upper falls, but visitors can still access viewing spots over the lower rapids.

John Lucas, DOC’s Operations Manager Te Anau, says barriers will protect people while the new platform is built.

“Climbing over or around barriers to have a closer look could result in serious injury or death. For your own safety, respect the advice on signage and stay behind barriers.”

Signage is in place at both the starting footbridge of the Lake Marian Falls Track and the point at Marian Falls where the track is closed. Visit DOC’s website for updates.

Note: All visitors to Lake Marian Track should avoid walking near the creek. The rocks are slippery, and Marian Creek’s current is strong. A fall into the water could cause serious injury or death. Stay on the track. Keep children within arm’s reach and watch them carefully.

While construction is underway at Lake Marian, visitors may like to explore stunning alternative tracks in the Fiordland National Park such as Key Summit Track or Hollyford Track.

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Source: Department of Conservation

Date:  29 April 2025

Long-term restoration efforts began at Pirongia in the early 2000s, and DOC’s Waikato team has been working with Pirongia Te Aroaro ō Kahu Restoration Society, Te Pahū Landcare, and local iwi to restore the maunga and reintroduce native species.

DOC Waikato Biodiversity Ranger Cara Hansen says the mistletoe species were historically found on the maunga, but the introduction of possums to New Zealand completely wiped the plants out.

“Possums are the main threat to mistletoe,” Cara says. “They love it, and will they’ll often devour the entire plant if they can. Controlling them is vital; this mistletoe species is only found in New Zealand, just like a massive 84% of our native plants. Species like this need our help, and it’s great to work alongside iwi and the community to protect them.”

Beginning in 2023, the translocation of pirita/mistletoe (Ileostylus micranthus and Tupeia antarctica) saw DOC staff and volunteers attach seeds to dozens of host trees at Kaniwhaniwha and Pirongia Lodge on the edge of Pirongia Forest Park. The translocation method is simple, swiping the sticky mistletoe seeds on to host trees, much like birds do when naturally spreading the seeds.

Each host tree received between 10 and 20 mistletoe seeds, which were sourced from a property near Maungatautari. Recent monitoring of 18 host trees at Kaniwhaniwha showed 53 individual mistletoe plants had germinated, and after one year they had between two and four leaves each.

“The plants can be a little slow to get going, so they’re still pretty tiny,” Cara says. “Once they germinate, they can take a while to attach successfully to the host tree, and will reach maturity in about five years. By then, they’ll have grown to the size of a basketball, and will have started producing fruit.”

“Over a 10-year period, mistletoe seed will be sown into trees around Pirongia. Sites like Kaniwhaniwha campground are great, as they have a good range of hosts and a lot of light, which really helps the mistletoe since they photosynthesize in addition to taking food and water from their host trees.”

“Even though this is a great sign, we’re not out of the woods yet,” says Cara. “Continued control of possums and rats at place is key to the project’s success, both to protect mistletoe from browsing pressure, and to increase the native bird species who act as pollinators and seed-dispersers.”

Pirongia is part of DOC’s National Predator Control Programme, which uses aerially applied toxins to control possums & rats. The two community groups have also contributed to the programme with extensive ground control efforts.

Aotearoa New Zealand’s has more threatened species than anywhere else in the world, with more than 4000 considered threatened or at risk of extinction. Most of these are only found here, so once they’re gone, they’ll be gone for good.

Background information

New Zealand has nine mistletoe species, and the fruit they produce is key food source for many native birds.

Host tree species for the translocation a Pirongia include mangeao, mahoe and kohūhū.

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Source: Department of Conservation

Date:  27 April 2025

DOC Senior Ranger Karl Fisher says he was alerted to the discovery by a member of the public who emailed a photo, and the snake has been identified.

“We have sent one of our rangers to check it out, but in the meantime, we want people and their dogs to stay away from the dunes at the southern end of Omaha beach. We don’t usually see these snakes on land but with the type of weather we’ve been having, it may have been blown ashore.” 

Karl Fisher says the yellow-bellied sea snakes are venomous and can be aggressive. They are found throughout the Pacific Ocean and are native to New Zealand.

“It’s very uncommon to see them on land, but with the extreme weather we’ve had recently, we are seeing all kinds of birds and sea life being blown ashore.”

He says that once the ranger has visited the site to check the snake out, the area will be cordoned off and a decision on what to do with the snake will be made.

“In the meantime, we want to make sure the public are aware and especially dog walkers or any children playing in the area.”

It’s illegal to kill native sea snakes or possess one. The public are encouraged to report all sightings to DOC using the hotline 0800 DOC HOT (0800 362 468).

Source: Department of Conservation

Date:  23 April 2025

The second bridge on the Hooker Valley Track has been impacted by riverbank erosion from wind and rain events over the past few years and is also susceptible to heavy snowfalls.

DOC staff and engineers have been closely monitoring riverbank erosion at the bridge, and following the recent heavy rain over Easter, the bridge was closed.

“We’ve been managing the second bridge for the past couple of years, adding micro piling and other measures but continued erosion of the riverbank, with the prospect of more heavy rain and snow loading this winter, we have made the decision to close the bridge permanently,” says DOC Director of Asset Management Shan Baththana.

DOC Aoraki/Mount Cook Operations Manager Sally Jones says while it’s disappointing to have to close the bridge, public safety is DOC’s number one priority.

She says the walk up the Hooker Valley is closed temporarily until access to the lower part of the track is secured and a new suspension bridge is built.

“Walking up the Hooker Valley to see Aoraki and staying at the popular Hooker Hut is a highlight for many visitors and the temporary closure of the track will disrupt plans. But public safety is always number one.”

“We’re now focused on securing the site so we can reopen the lower section of the track as soon as possible. In the meantime, there are several other beautiful and accessible walks that remain open and offer those stunning views of Aoraki that people love. Kea Point is a great place for visitors to get those once in a lifetime photos. Aoraki/Mount Village is still very much open for business.”

Sally Jones says what’s exciting is the new 189-metre-long suspension bridge being built on the Hooker Valley track.

She says the new bridge is a significant investment in the long-term resilience of the Hooker Valley Track. Once complete, it will be the longest pedestrian suspension bridge in the country — and a remarkable way to safely experience the power and beauty of this landscape.

The new bridge has been specifically designed to withstand more extreme weather events.

“One of New Zealand’s best day hikes, Hooker Valley Track is used by around half a million visitors annually and is the most popular visitor attraction in the Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park. We are committed to investing in these well-loved nature experiences. We need to continue to provide safe access and make sure our infrastructure is future proofed against the effects of climate change, rainfall and winds. Nature is our most important economic asset and sustains industries like tourism.”

Sally Jones says work has already started on the bridge project with track building around the site. The aim is to have it open in Autumn 2026.

Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park has over one million visitors annually and is second only to Fiordland in terms of most popular New Zealand national parks for international visitors.

Sally Jones says the number of visitors is increasing and she does have a message for those visiting Aoraki/Mount Cook.

“A concerning trend we’re seeing is visitors going off track through fragile vegetation and rocky terrain. This not only causes lasting damage to the environment — it also puts people at real risk. The landscape here is breathtaking but unforgiving. We ask everyone to think carefully about where they’re walking and climbing, and to stick to marked tracks for their own safety and to help protect this special place for others.
We all have a responsibility to do this. DOC staff work hard to keep people safe and over the next year while we are building the new bridge, we need everyone to respect the environment and the advice we give.”

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Source: Department of Conservation

Date:  22 April 2025

DOC’s Acting Taranaki Operations Manager Phil Melgren says the visitor centre building was identified as needing replacement several years ago, due to its age and condition. Through an agreement between DOC and Te Atiawa, the iwi will lead on demolition of the existing building and construction of the new facility.

Phil says the current visitor centre will close at 3.30pm on 27 April 2025 – at the end of the current school holidays.

“The visitor centre will be closed for a minimum of three days during the transition period. A DOC staff member will be on site to provide information to visitors.”

The temporary visitor centre building is on site and is being readied to be opened on 2 May. It is in the upper car park along with new visitor toilets.  The temporary visitor centre and toilets have been designed with ramps to be fully accessible.

Phil says the temporary visitor is expected to operate for two years while the new facility is constructed. It will have the same opening hours – 8.30 am to 3.30 pm seven days a week – with the same services for information, hut tickets and some retail offering, particularly gear to help visitors keep safe and warm on the maunga.

Demolition of the old visitor centre will start in the middle of May. The first thing visitors will see is some vegetation clearing and fencing going in place.

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Source: Department of Conservation

Date:  19 April 2025

Assessments show walking access can be reopened but visitors need to be prepared, says DOC Operations Manager Nick Kelly.

“High tides and storm surges are still present on the beach. Check the weather forecast via MetService and plan your visit during low tide.”

“DOC rangers have been on-site inspecting the infrastructure, which has held up well, despite a couple of trees down and some damage to signs.”

Nick Kelly noted that while most people respected the closure during the severe weather, some ignored the signs and barrier.

“It’s really disappointing to see people purposefully ignoring the closure and putting themselves in unnecessary danger during a major storm event when emergency services are needed elsewhere.”

“On top of that, it encourages tourists without the skill and local knowledge to follow suit and put themselves at risk too. We need community members to be exemplars for respecting this place and looking out for our visitors.”

Mautohe Cathedral Cove is one of Coromandel and New Zealand’s most picturesque and iconic coastal locations, famous for its rock arch. However, the area is prone to geological and landslide risk, particularly after heavy rain.

DOC’s Trigger Action Response Plan for Mautohe Cathedral Cove guides decision-making for track closures at the site.

DOC will continue to monitor the site for potential risks and land movement over the coming days.

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Source: Department of Conservation

Date:  17 April 2025

The DOC Community Fund (DOCCF) is a contestable Crown fund, open to community groups and private landowners to support community-led conservation projects on public and private land.

This 2025 funding round criteria focused on protecting and restoring threatened species and ecosystems. Projects are funded for up to three years and cover a range of threatened ecosystems and species across Aotearoa New Zealand, including plants, invertebrates, and birds like tara iti/fairy tern, New Zealand’s rarest bird.

Director Strategic Partnerships and Investment, David Van Der Zouwe, says the 20 projects and organisations funded are those most likely to have the greatest positive impact for biodiversity.

“The DOCCF is an investment in our future,” says David. “Aotearoa New Zealand’s unique species and habitats will have a better chance of being enjoyed by future generations thanks to this funding.”

The DOCCF received 291 applications, totalling requests for more than $141 million – the largest amount of funding ever sought through this fund – compared to $77 million in 2023. With an average grant of $450,000, the funding targets investment into high-value conservation outcomes, and supports collaboration and engagement with local communities and iwi.

“There is a huge appetite for funds from community groups to support conservation projects,” says David.

“The passion and dedication of all applicants is admirable, making this a challenging process. Ultimately, the projects awarded funding prioritise our species in genuine danger of disappearing forever.

“When they’re gone, they won’t come back. So helping our vulnerable species and places recover and thrive, through projects like these, is a great way to make a real difference for nature.”

The recipients and their related projects are available on the successful applications 2025 webpage.

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