Conservation
Rare native skink colony discovered by nine-year-old
A rustle in the grass led an observant nine-year-old to discover a rare colony of Hawke's Bay skinks, which were previously thought to have only survived in one fenced area.
Sperm whale given Māori blessing after dying on Christchurch beach
The whale was given the name Te Koha, meaning the gift, and was laid to rest with mana.
New walking and cycling track to be built through Marlborough Sounds native bush
The Marlborough District Council approved the consent application, subject to 24 conditions.
Furry celebrity napping on Wellington waterfront unfazed by local paparazzi
A baby fur seal was spotted this afternoon in the capital.
Endangered dotterel find sanctuary at Auckland Airport
Four pairs of tūturiwhatu / New Zealand dotterel are nesting in the airport's grassy areas.
Overfishing in Hauraki Gulf among factors causing penguin starvation, deaths - charity
There are growing concerns for the Hauraki Gulf's penguins with ten chicks found starving and dozens dead on Waiheke Island in the past few weeks. Audio
Conservationists concerned to find dozens of dead penguins on Waiheke
There are growing concerns for the Hauraki Gulf's penguins with ten chicks found starving and dozens dead on Waiheke Island in the past few weeks. It has conservationists worried that we could be… Video, Audio
Voting begins for Bird of the Century
Can the ruru, royal spoonbill or rifleman finally beat the kākāpō?
National Aquarium's little blue penguin put down due to spinal deterioration
Staff described Dora the kororā as a princess among penguins - charismatic, curious and a little bit cheeky.
Far North occupation highlights wider problem of hoons on dunes, iwi ranger says
An iwi ranger on the Far North's Karikari Peninsula says a furore over a beach access road is highlighting wider problems of vehicle damage to dunes and sacred places.
Eye of the tiger: Stunning photos win top nature honours
The Mangrove Photography Award winners show unique ecosystems above and below the waterline.
Humpback whale population that faced extinction now recovering
Beneath the surface of the Pacific record numbers of humpback whales make their way south on an annual migration - a population bouncing back from the 'brink of extinction' due to whaling.
'Never seen anything like it' - Explorers travel to ends of earth to create card game
A group of 22 inspiring explorers have returned from South Georgia after a week on one of the most remote islands in the world.
Trees will be 'bowled over' to avoid new regulations - mayor
A "heinous" imposition of new rules has prompted fear they will push West Coast landowners to cut down trees to avoid the implications.
Why are whales throwing seaweed on their heads?
Whales enjoy throwing seaweed on their heads and holding it in their mouths as makeshift toothbrushes or for play, new research from Australia suggests.
Weasel trapped inside wildlife sanctuary
A weasel has been found dead in a trap inside the conservation sanctuary at Zealandia in Wellington.
Concerns over spate of baby penguin deaths
A spate of baby penguin deaths has raised concerns there could be a repeat of a catastrophic breeding season of five years ago, when there were mass fatalities of kororā. Audio
Life in the fast and slow lanes of braided rivers
In the ever-shifting streams and channels of a braided river, creatures must adapt to change. Claire Concannon joins a researcher on the spectacular Cass River near Tekapo for a spot of electrofishing… Video, Audio
Group taking action over DOC permit that allowed killing of native wildlife
An environmental group has filed for a judicial review of a decision allowing 46 species of wildlife - including protected kiwi - to be killed during the construction of a bypass.
Rivers in the sky, heatwaves in the sea: Aotearoa's climate outlook
Bigger, heavier 'rivers in the sky' - like the atmospheric river that brought record rainfall to Auckland in January - are on the cards as the planet heats, the latest report on Aotearoa's climate…