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Home arrow Key Agencies arrow Department of Conservation arrow Department of Conservation
Department of Conservation PDF Print E-mail

What is it?

The Department of Conservation (DOC) is the central government agency responsible for managing natural and historic heritage in New Zealand. Its work is governed by the Conservation Act 1987 along with numerous other acts relating to natural and historic conservation. Although it is directly responsible for looking after public conservation land, the Conservation Act also requires it to promote conservation generally.

Its mission is:
To conserve New Zealand's natural and historic heritage for all to enjoy now and in the future.
He ata whakaute, manaaki, me te tiaki ia Papatuanuku ki Aotearoa kia u tonu ai tona whakawaiuitanga hei oranga ngakau mo te tini te mano inaianei, ake tonu ake.

What is DOC's role in marine and coastal management?

Its responsibilities are:
  • Administering Crown-owned foreshore and seabed;
  • Managing marine reserves;
  • Protecting marine mammals (eg seals, whales, dolphins);
  • Protecting native wildlife (eg reptiles, birds, insects);
  • Managing islands which are public conservation land;
  • Promoting a conservation perspective on resource consent applications and regional and local policies and plans.
The Minister of Conservation is responsible for:
  • Approving regional coastal plans and any changes to them;
  • Approving applications for restricted coastal activities;
  • Leasing land which has been legally reclaimed;
  • Monitoring the implementation and effectiveness of the NZ Coastal Policy Statement;
  • Directing allocation of space for aquaculture.

In practice DOC staff undertake this role - decisions are generally made by senior staff who have authority delegated from the Minister.

How can DOC help me?

One of the Department's key roles is to provide information and help raise awareness of, and involvement in, conservation. As there are offices all over New Zealand you can readily get in touch with staff on-the-ground to ask for help and advice relating to DOC's marine and coastal responsibilities. If staff can't help you locally they will put you in touch with someone who can.

Relevant legislation

  • Conservation Act 1987
  • Resource Management Act 1991
  • Wildlife Act 1953
  • Marine Reserves Act 1971
  • Reserves Act 1977
  • Foreshore and Seabed Act 2004 (s17A and schedule 12)

Key references

  • DOC Annual Report to Parliament
  • DOC Statement of Intent
  • NZ Coastal Policy Statement

Web-based resources

Department of Conservation
Biodiversity

Regular publications

Conservation Action - annual lay-person's public report on DOC's activities, available from all DOC offices July-August.
"What's Up DOC" regular public e-newsletter. Free subscription via www.doc.govt.nz

Some conservancies produce a regular community groups newsletter or similar updates - contact your nearest conservancy office to check this out.
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