By the 1880’s people had started to become aware of the huge toll many introduced species, ourselves included, were having on New Zealand’s native environment. One of the biggest issues was the rate of land clearing. Farmers and the forestry industry were faced with a growing demand for their products, due to the booming developments and growth in New Zealand’s economy. As a result much of the native bush was cleared, and native swamplands drained to make way for grassy pastures and exotic forest plantations. And so various conservation efforts arose.

Tongariro National Park was established in 1887. The first of fourteen National Parks to be established throughout the country. The newest, Rakiura National Park, in 2002, which covers 85% of Stewart Island.

In 1990 Tongariro National Park became the only current duel World Heritage Site within New Zealand, one of only 29 world wide, having both significant natural and culture value.

Many protection Acts concerning various aspects of conservation have been developed over the years. The Forest Act, in 1949, the Wildlife Act, in 1953, and the Reserves Act, in 1977, to name but a few. A number of conservation societies were also established. Forest and Bird (1923), and Greenpeace (1974), are the largest.

The Department of Conservation, a government agency, was established in 1987, and plays a key front line role in New Zealand conservation.

Many offshore islands have been made pest free, creating sanctuaries for many endangered native species. And more recently inland island sanctuaries were made; large areas surrounded by specially designed fences to keep predators out. Once these fenced off areas were made predator free endangered species could be released. These inland sanctuaries include Zealandia (or Karori Wildlife Sanctuary), which is situated on the edge of Wellington City, and the Mangatautari Restoration Project, located on Mangatautari mountain in the Waikato Region.

Other efforts to bring back species from the brink of extinction have included some real dedicated hands on breeding programs. The first, and probably the most famous, was Don Merton’s extraordinary approach in 1980 that saved the Chatham Island black robin from extinction, from only one breeding pair. This effort involved cross-fostering black robin eggs to tomtits. The tomtit would incubate the eggs once they hatched the chicks were then transferred back to their parents. In this way they were able to raise more chicks each year, as opposed to only two they would have naturally raised without interference.

Other well known successful breeding programs, all using different techniques include Takahē and Kakapo breeding programs and Operation Nest Egg (O.N.E), a breeding program for kiwi.

Conservation is now a big part of New Zealand, with a vast array of conservation projects operating throughout the country, with many involved, from full time workers in these fields, to volunteers and community groups. In future posts I will write about various conservation efforts and methods, and by which means various species we are helping to save from extinction.