Resource library

More than 600,000 tonnes of carbon worth an estimated $32m were lost in fires at two of New Zealand’s most important wetlands. By Caroline Wood

There are things conservationists can do make our land more resilient to fire risk in the future. By Caroline Wood

Ongoing 1080 operations contributed to a stunning display of red rātā flowers in Paparoa National Park this summer. By Dean Baigent-Mercer

Forest & Bird says the resource management reforms announced today need to protect, restore, and enhance the things that matter to Kiwis. New Zealanders care about the environment, they love our quality of life. 

Forest & Bird volunteers and staff worked hard over summer to protect and monitor precious long-tailed bat roosts in Marlborough. By Lynn Freeman

Western Pacific leatherback turtles are in big trouble. Peter Langlands looks at how we can better protect these giants of the ocean when they visit our waters.

In February 2025, Forest & Bird made submissions on two Department of Conservation consultations. 

A treasure trove of letters and other archives has shed new light on the fledgling Society’s efforts to engage with Māori on shared conservation goals. By Michael Pringle

Forest & Bird emphasised the following.
 

Forest & Bird Youth believes the Treaty Principles Bill - introduced in 2024 - 2025 for public consultation - redefines or diminishes current Treaty principles and threatens the regenerative approach that Māori environmental values can bring.

Adding climate-damaging coal to a critical minerals list ignores climate change, flies in the face of New Zealand’s national identity, and is internationally embarrassing for our environmental reputation, says Forest & Bird’s Chief Executive Nicola

Forest & Bird is deeply concerned that politicians are continuing to misrepresent the value of stewardship land.

A twin assault on the future protection of conservation land by the Prime Minister and Minister for Resources is cause for alarm, says Forest & Bird’s Chief Executive, Nicola Toki. 

Epic efforts are underway to save the last 101 pukunui southern New Zealand dotterels from extinction. By Kerrie Waterworth

A quiet Forest & Bird volunteer effort in Wainuiomata is helping restore native forests and wetlands in the Greater Wellington region. By Caroline Wood

Our precious rivers and lakes are under threat, and we need your help to send an important message to the Prime Minister. By Tom Kay

With your help, we can clean up our waterways and build a smarter, greener economy.

Forest & Bird is pledging to oppose environmentally damaging projects that are put through the fast-track environmental override voted on in Parliament this afternoon.

This year, the entire Forest & Bird whānau – members, supporters, staff, branches, youth, and children – stepped up to fight for te taiao as the coalition government attempted to reverse four decades of vitally important environmental laws. 

A version of this story was first published in the Summer 2024 issue of Forest & Bird magazine.

Volunteers working to restore flora and fauna in an outstanding natural landscape are heartened by the return of local birdlife. By Louise Porteous

By David Hill. Illustrated by Kelly Body.

A version of this story was first published in the Summer 2024 issue of Forest & Bird magazine.

Forest & Bird says the Government could be onto a winner with their proposal to plant trees on Crown-owned land – but only if those trees are natives. 

Forest & Bird today released a letter from the Ombudsman outlining an investigation into the Ministry for the Environment (MfE) over a refusal to release information under an OIA about the Fast-track Approvals Bill.   

Jessica Przychodzko is a leader for the Ōtautahi Christchurch Hub of Forest & Bird Youth.

Meet the Forest & Bird staff, volunteers, and communities working to restore wildlife on the Whangaparāoa Peninsula. By Jenny Hanwell

Forest & Bird is appalled that the key regional tool to improve water quality in Southland – farm plans – is being deferred by the Government.

Modernisation of New Zealand’s conservation system is overdue, but Forest & Bird calls on the National-led coalition government to ensure that its focus is on improving conservation and protecting biodiversity.

Read about the people who stood up for New Zealand nature over the past 100 years. You may well know some of them! By Caroline Wood

The Fast-track Approvals Bill is back from select committee and Forest & Bird is alarmed that the purpose for the legislation is to enable coal and gold to be dug up, the seabed to be mined and rivers to be dammed with little or no regard for the en

Parliament’s Environment Committee must delay reporting back on the Fast-track Approvals Bill until it has time to properly consider the proposed projects, says Forest & Bird. 

New Zealand’s progress towards securing 30% of its terrestrial and aquatic habitats in protected areas by 2030 will be under the spotlight at this year’s UN Biodiversity Conference. By Chantal Pagel

These two words set a dangerous precedent in Aotearoa New Zealand, where there is no biodiversity to spare. By Dr Manu Davison

Veteran conservation activist Ann Graeme reflects on a lifetime of environmental activism and progress.

A version of this story was first published in the Spring 2024 issue of Forest & Bird magazine.