Environment
The Department of Conservation and RealNZ have signed a three-year National Programme Partnership. It is aimed at boosting conservation initiatives and strengthening joint efforts to protect New Zealand's natural heritage.
The agreement builds on decades of conservation investment and hands-on environmental work by RealNZ, one of New Zealand's leading tourism operators.
DOC Director-General Peter Chrisp said the deal reflects the value of partnerships in achieving meaningful conservation outcomes.
"DOC cannot do the job of conservation on its own. Partnerships play a critical role in helping us achieve lasting outcomes for nature. RealNZ has demonstrated a genuine, long-term commitment to conservation. This agreement strengthens our ability to work together to protect the species and places New Zealanders care about. RealNZ and DOC share the same cause."
RealNZ Chief Executive Dave Beeche said conservation is central to the company's purpose.
"We believe people protect what they value, which is why our purpose is to help the world fall in love with conservation. It's been in our core DNA since our founding more than 70 years ago and carries through to the work we do today to support conservation work of national importance. We're proud to work alongside DOC, iwi and communities to help protect the extraordinary natural environments that make Aotearoa unique."
Since 2015, RealNZ has supported a priority conservation project through its fundraising activities. This year, that support went to little spotted kiwi, helping return the species from Kapiti Island to Cooper Island in Fiordland. Through its annual Night for Nature event and a 1% for Conservation initiative on online bookings, RealNZ raised more than $300,000 for the project. That builds on a decade of predator control work the company has led on Cooper Island under a Community Agreement with DOC.
The approach will continue, with RealNZ, DOC, iwi and other stakeholders working together to identify a conservation focus for future years.
DOC Regional Director Southern South Island Aaron Fleming said RealNZ has earned a strong reputation as a conservation leader in the region through their previous conservation initiatives and fundraising efforts.
"RealNZ backs its commitment with action. From long-term predator control programmes to species recovery projects, the team has made a significant contribution to conservation outcomes across the southern South Island. Their boots-on-the-ground approach, sustained investment and willingness to lead by example have made them a valued conservation partner."
The partnership extends RealNZ's significant contribution to conservation and complements DOC's wider relationships with tourism operators and businesses that support conservation across New Zealand.
As with all DOC partnerships, the National Programme Partnership is separate from DOC's statutory and regulatory responsibilities. It focuses on shared conservation outcomes and does not influence decision-making relating to concessions, approvals or other authorisations on public conservation land.
Full details are available on the DOC website.