Air New Zealand and the Department of Conservation
Air New Zealand and the Department of Conservation
Air New Zealand is the Department of Conservation's (DOC) National Partner for:
We've been working together since 2012 to help protect and enhance New Zealand's natural environment.
New Zealand is one of the richest areas of biodiversity on earth and yet we also have one of the highest rates (over 4,000 types) of threatened species.
It takes a collaborative effort to make a difference and all of us have our part to play.
Our Great Walks
Bringing birdsong back to our Great Walks
A key focus area of our partnership with DOC is investing in a range of biodiversity projects across our Great Walks network – an iconic part of New Zealand's tourism offering. Our objective with DOC is to bring birdsong back to our Great Walks by enabling sustained predator control on an ongoing basis.
The partnership currently covers around 40,000 hectares of sustained predator control across five of New Zealand's Great Walks.
Some of the species these biodiversity projects help to support include kiwi, takahē, whio, pāteke, kea, rock wren and mohua, although many other native species benefit indirectly.
Air New Zealand and DOC are working together to bring birdsong back to five of New Zealand's Great Walks
Conservation Dogs Programme
A paw-some partnership
Air New Zealand is the national partner for the Conservation Dogs Programme, which mentors, certifies, and supports a nationwide network of dog-handler teams. There are currently over 120 certified conservation dogs across Aotearoa New Zealand that can detect our protected species and unwanted pests.
The certified dog handler teams are a highly effective tool supporting DOC, councils, community groups, researchers, iwi, hapū, whānau, and others to carry out important conservation work for our native ecosystems. Find out more about the programme.
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Transportation of threatened species and conservation dogs
Helping our precious passengers take flight
Another important way we support conservation is by transporting some of New Zealand's most endangered species, and the conservation dogs that work to protect them, around the country.
We fly a range of endangered species, including birds, reptiles and invertebrates. They might be travelling for genetic and population management, to see a vet for an illness, or to establish new populations at safe breeding sites — and wherever they're heading, they're well cared for along the way.
Since 2012, we've transported more than 5,000 threatened species and conservation dogs, including more than 230 takahē, 1,400 pāteke, 600 native reptiles, 400 kiwi, and 300 conservation dogs to name a few.
Join us, and do your bit
Making a difference in your own backyard
Imagine what our forests, mountains, and rivers must have sounded like. The birdsong was described as deafening, and as melodious wild music. But introduced predators are silencing our native birds, with an estimated 25 million killed each year.
Biodiversity projects like those that Air New Zealand supports with DOC are giving our native species a fighting chance. But it takes a collaborative effort to make a difference and all of us Kiwi have our part to play.
From planting native tress to backyard trapping and volunteering for conservation activities, there are plenty of ways you can support nature and Always Be Naturing. Explore ways you can get involved and do your bit for nature.