Close message

Services to Schools

Environmental Issues

Deforestation, pollution, overpopulation, hazardous waste, and oil spills are huge environmental concerns. Learn how the Department of Conservation, NGOs, volunteers and reserves like Kapiti Island are helping to save the planet. SCIS no. 1807263

Filter by media type

Display as

Conservation week

Each year DOC works with community groups across Aotearoa to spread the conservation message. It’s a nationwide celebration of kiwis pitching in to help our native plants and animals.

Public Safety Conservation Act

Public Safety Conservation Act

In 20th-century New Zealand the cabinet grew to hold great power and dominate the House of Representatives. An early example of the extent to which Parliament delegated power to cabinet was the Pub...

Citizen Science: Kiwi conservation

Kiwi conservation

Kiwi are our National symbol and around the country many communities are trying to protect kiwi in their patch from predators and habitat loss. Much relies on private landowners being willing to ge...

Waste crime

Waste crime in the European Union is big business, illegal dumping is estimated to be worth at least 900 million dollars a year. Kathryn Ryan speaks to Jim Baird, a professor of waste and resource ...

Computer recycling

Computer recycling

How to get rid of those old computers and screens sitting around at home.

The Unnatural history of the Kakapo

The Unnatural history of the Kakapo

This documentary tells the tenuous survivor story of the kākāpō: the nocturnal flightless green parrot with "big sideburns and Victorian gentlemen's face" (as comedian Stephen Fry put it). A sole b...

Tiritiri Matangi

Tiritiri Matangi

Tiritiri Matangi and the protection of New Zealand’s natural and historic heritage.

Climate change

Cartoon refers to the Copenhagen Conference on Global Warming held in December 2009.

Climate change

Shows two rats discussing Gareth Morgan, a businessman and environmentalist who has called for the eradication of all predators, including cats, from Stewart Island. The rats explain that MMP is a ...

MMP and pests

The hole in the ozone layer that forms part of Earth’s atmosphere is shown here in 2006 and 2009. The hole is centred over Antarctica, which is visible through it.

Anti Fracking protest

Anti Fracking protest

Protesters in Wellington against fracking in New Zealand.

Kapiti Island

Kapiti Island is one of New Zealand’s most important nature reserves. As early as 1870 it was identified as a possible site for a bird sanctuary, and in 1897 the government set it aside for this pu...

“Got one!”

In his cartoon, Nisbet draws attention to an often heated debate around the role of a pesticide called 1080. This poison (sodium fluoroacetate) is widely used to directly kill possums (and other pr...

Conservation week poster

Conservation week poster

By the 1980s the need and importance of conservation was recognised as being an essential component to maintaining and promoting our national identity. This conservation week poster and calendar ce...

Erosion

One of the more severe impacts of removing forest cover from hill country (as this photograph shows) is erosion. Erosion occurs when topsoil and pasture is removed by flooding, and or storms and th...

Yates catalogue

Yates catalogue

After felling then burning the bush, farmers would scatter seed by hand (sometimes known as broadcasting seeding) amongst the ash - as this Yates seed catalogue shows. It was hard physical work, bu...

Judy Hutt and Victor Anderlini

Judy Hutt and Victor Anderlini

Awareness and protection of New Zealand’s environment is not only restricted to the land. Since 1975 over 30 marine reserves have been established around New Zealand. In these areas all marine life...

Possum license

Possums are not native to New Zealand. They were successfully introduced from Australia in the 1850s in order to establish a fur trade. But no one then could have predicted the immense damage possu...

Save Waipoua forest!

Save Waipoua forest!

This poster from 1952 was part of a successful campaign to set aside and preserve some 9,105 hectares of the Waipoua forest as a sanctuary. Ecologically important, the Waipoua forest is one of a ha...

New Zealanders! protect your native birds

New Zealanders! protect your native birds

The Native Bird Protection Society (now known as Forest & Bird) was formed at a meeting in March 1923 - the same year this poster was published. The meeting was convened by environmentalist Captain...

Greenpeace members protesting against whaling

Greenpeace members protesting against whaling

The Rainbow Warrior which was bombed in 1985 was a Greenpeace vessel. Greenpeace is a non- governmental environmental organisation who campaign against worldwide issues such as climate change, gene...

Rena pollution sign

Rena pollution sign

Despite our ‘clean green’ image and our relative isolation we are no safer from environmental accidents than anywhere else in the world. This was graphically demonstrated (as the above signs shows)...

Conservation

A collection of articles, images, videos, audio etc. on environmental issues.

Cornwallis sawmill

Cornwallis sawmill

For many decades after the arrival of European settlers, the large Kauri forests (which once covered 4 million acres) were recognised not for their outstanding beauty, but as an important economic ...

[Trojan cow]

This illustration of men hauling a huge 'Trojan cow' into a green walled city from a blasted landscape outside refers to the controversy surrounding the increasing conversion of land into dairy far...

Kermadec sanctuary hotly debated

A fiery exchange over the Kermadec Ocean Sanctuary erupted at a Parliamentary select committee today, as some groups continue to challenge the proposal.

The latest updates

This site is about Greenpeace, its aims and achievements.

Environmental problems

Fifteen environmental issues that require urgent action.

Infographic: why green is the most cost-effective way to live

Infographic showing ways to live green and save money.

Recycling and our environment

List of informational websites about all aspects of conservation and sustainability.

Overpopulation: a growing problem (infographic)

What is overpopulation and what concerns does it create in the world?

What is air pollution?

The different types of pollution and other environmental issues.

The causes and impacts of deforestation.

This non-profit organisation helps protect, sustain and restore New Zealand’s wildlife and environment.

What is pollution?

Video lesson that helps children identify the agents of pollution.

50 people who could save the planet

An article about people whose influence could be crucial for a greener planet.

Recycling for kids

Find stickers, posters and teaching aids on recycling.

Clean, green image of NZ 'fantastical'

New Zealand's clean green image, is being slammed internationally.

Global warming for kids

Learn how carbon dioxide, methane etc. are responsible for global warming.

Reduce, reuse, recycle

Information on how reducing, reusing and recycling can help your community.

Join the fight for the future of the planet

Earth day is celebrated every year on the 22nd of April.

Nature’s a person?

Te Urewera national park has been granted legal personhood, meaning nobody owns it. The park has the same rights and powers as a citizen.

Environmental activism

Environmental activism

A set on environmental issues.

Conservation education

Find resources to support New Zealand conservation teaching and learning.

Noise pollution

How noise pollution is changing animal behaviour

Waste management

New Zealand generates almost 3.2 million tonnes of waste.

Land administered by the Department of Conservation

Land administered by the Department of Conservation

Areas protected by the Department of Conservation.

25 easy steps towards sustainability

ome of the easiest things you can do to help the environment when you’re at home and or out and about travelling.

Reduce reuse recycle for kids

A gallery of ideas to teach children how to reduce reuse and recycle.

Climate Education Week 2017 Toolkit

Easy-to-use climate science 101 for students.

Renewable energy

Innovative free teaching resources on renewable energy suitable for KS2 - 5.

Deforestation planet

Explorer Michael Fey draws attention to deforestation and its impacts on climate change.

NZ has celebrated Arbor Day on June 5 since 1977. Here is a few of the events happening up and down the country around that date.

Beat plastic pollution

Take part in World Environment Day 2018. Whether you’re a school, government, nonprofit, or business, we’ve got a toolkit for you.

Farming and environmental pollution

New Zealand has had a reputation for being ‘clean and green’ – a country of environmental beauty. However, it’s becoming apparent that New Zealand has an environmental pollution problem.

Bioforce – breeding bugs for biocontrol

New Zealand might be an island nation, but that doesn’t stop a variety of unwanted organisms finding their way to our shores.

Young Ocean Explorers

Our vision is to create generational change by connecting hearts and minds with the importance of enjoying and caring for our oceans.

Computer technology measures forces behind kauri dieback

Computer technology is helping scientists to better understand the disease threatening our kauri forests.

Fox River rubbish spill should be declared a national disaster, volunteers say

Eight weeks into the clean-up effort on the Fox River in South Westland, 95 percent of its length remains contaminated by rubbish from a flood-torn landfill.

Posters on Conservation

Posters on Conservation

Posters with conservation as a common theme.

Auckland's drainage problem

Auckland's sewerage disposal in 1954 indicates the pollution of the Manukau Harbour.

Investigating issues and taking action

Lesson plans to encourage children to find an issue and work towards a solution.

Land report highlights issues with soil degradation

An environmental report released in 2018 found we are damaging and losing our soils and our native plants and animals.

Research papers

The regulation of hydraulic fracturing in New Zealand: Risky business?

This paper focuses on the regulation of hydraulic fracturing in New Zealand and environmental concerns such as the high demand on water use, potential for groundwater contamination and deterrence o...

Environmental Encyclopedia

This book covers a range of environmental issues around the world. Read this book and others on this topic from Gale Virtual Reference Library available through EPIC. School login maybe required.

Google Earth engine

This tool from Google can be used to view time lapse videos on how the earth has changed over 35 years due to deforestation, urban growth, and mining.

The young ecoleaders award. School Journal Curriculum level 3: 2018

This play connects with concerns and the ways ordinary citizens can help address environmental issues.

History of Conservation Week

History of Conservation Week including posters from over the years.

Conservation Week activities

Teaching resources from TKI to inspire activities based on place and environment.

Rāhui and conservation

Use of ‘rāhui’ and conservation-related words in nineteenth century New Zealand.

The kids are alright - and they're rising up

Secondary students in New Zealand take a day off from school to protest against climate change.

Find more information on this topic on EPIC. Databases recommended: Global Issues in Context and Environmental Studies. School login maybe required.

Forest conservation in New Zealand

Mr. Hooker inspects forest in New Zealand (1885) to report on kauri forests and forest conservation.

First the classroom, then the world

Ross Intermediate leads the way to become carbon neutral.

The class newspaper. School Journal Year 5: Part 04 no.2: 2003

Tama decides his story for the class newspaper will be about his whanau and their action to protect the beach and the local kaimoana. School login is required.

This page from Many Answers will guide you to reviewed websites and databases on climate change.

United Nations environment programme

Explore news and stories about climate change, green economy, biosafety and other programmes under taken by the United Nations.

Pollution of the Waiwetu Stream

Hutt River Board discusses the pollution of the Waiwetu stream by oil from the railway workshops

Conservation education resources

Education resources designed for students to learn about and appreciate New Zealand’s environment.

Managing hazardous substances in New Zealand

Creating a betting system for managing hazardous substances in New Zealand.

A rāhui on the coast of Coromandel Peninsular to restrict the taking of pipi and cockles from the beach.

Global awareness

Three Creative ways to teach global awareness

Global warming: news, facts, causes and effects

Composting toilets

The composting toilet is designed to help convert natural human waste into compost.

Fighting kauri dieback

Kauri forests once covered over a million hectares of Aotearoa, from the Far North to Te Kauri, near Kawhia.