Melanie Nelson, writing for The Spinoff says the government’s Modernising Conservation Land Management proposals would mark the most far-reaching shake-up of New Zealand’s public conservation estate in a generation. 

The plan centres on making around five million hectares – over 60% of public conservation land – eligible to be sold or exchanged if deemed surplus or needed to support other government priorities. Concessions processes will also be overhauled, with the government’s explicit intention to “unleash economic growth on one third of New Zealand’s land”.

Currently, the threshold for disposing of public conservation land is strong, limited to reserves and stewardship areas that have been assessed as having ‘no or very low’ conservation values.

Under the new settings, the government could determine that land with medium or high conservation values was “surplus to conservation needs” or repurpose it to “support other government priorities by making land available for development”.

Alongside the disposal provisions, the proposals seek to increase amenities areas and streamline concessions for commercial activities on conservation land. This could lead to faster approvals for tourism, mining or infrastructure projects. It could also facilitate more intensive development – potentially even in currently sensitive areas – through a more market-driven allocation process. Read the full opinion piece from The Spinoff.

Wairarapa hapū considers tribunal claim over Cape Palliser paper road

The leader of a Wairarapa hapū, who wants to close a public paper road over their land, says they will consider lodging a claim with the Waitangi Tribunal if a council bylaw supporting the closure doesn’t pass.

The proposed bylaw to shut 3km of road on the southernmost tip of the North Island has triggered backlash, with the Wairarapa District Council receiving 3500 submissions on it.

Ngati Hinewaka chairperson Haami Te Whaiti is not surprised at the response. “I’m not surprised,” he said, “because the right of passage over our land is something they think they’re entitled to because it’s been happening for a very long time.”

Most of the damage, he said, is caused by four wheel drive vehicles causing deep ruts in the road and veering onto private land. The land owners had watched the public disrespect the land for a long time, Te Whaiti added.

Hearings on the proposed bylaw will take place in the first week of September, and a final decision on the paper road will be made later in the month. Read the full story from One News.

Tributes flow for Piper, the loyal search dog

Nelson dog Piper, who helped reunite countless lost pets with their families across New Zealand, has passed away. Wilderness interviewed Piper’s owner, well-known dog tracker Don Schwass, in September of 2024. 

Schwass, shared a heartfelt tribute to his loyal companion, remembering her as a partner, a friend, and a hero to many. “You were always about the journey and not the destination. This is not goodbye, just part of your journey,” Schwass wrote. “My sidekick, my shadow, always right by my side. Together as partners, that’s how we rode.”

Piper was described as vivacious and sassy, happiest riding in the truck or flying in a plane with Schwass by her side. She was a three-and-a-half-year-old Springador, a cross between a Labrador and Springer Spaniel. She was the fourth generation of a line carefully bred by Schwass. Read the full story of Piper’s passing from Chris Lynch Media.

Auckland Tramping Club celebrates 100 years

On October 18, 1925, Adrian Moulton and six others gathered in the crater of Rangitoto to hold the first committee meeting of the newly formed Auckland Tramping Club.

One hundred years on, the club has seen vast changes in tramping gear, food, huts, tracks, and communications. “Sleeping on the hard ground was the norm for our members in the first 50 years,” said club committee member Tony Walton. “Any mattress was vegetation culled from the surrounds – fern fronds, tussock, bracken – and you might scoop out a hip hole for greater comfort.” 

One older club member recalled that when she started tramping in the 1950s, there were very few marked tracks. “You went with people who knew where to go and were capable of navigating safely in the bush or on mountain ranges,” Walton said.

One thing has remained constant: “People still want to get into the bush and hills, away from their day-to-day lives, to enjoy nature on its own terms with a convivial and supportive group.”

This centenary year the club is celebrating with over 100 events on the calendar. A centennial dinner will be held on October 18. Read more from Wilderness.

Tramping trip and working in nature inspire DOC duo to create children’s fantasy book

A Department of Conservation ranger and her former colleague have harnessed their love of the outdoors to create a children’s book that has been 20 years in the making.

Hokitika biodiversity ranger Sonya McArthur has written a treasury of eight stories for children aged 9 to 12 called Tales of Curiosity, illustrated by her former colleague Bevan Smith.

McArthur said she first started the book almost 20 years ago, when she was in her early 20s, with young adult readers in mind. Set in imaginative and symbolic worlds, the stories are in the fantasy genre akin to The Chronicles of Narnia, Tales of the Otori, and traditional fables, she said.

The book was brought to life visually by illustrator Bevan Smith, who worked with McArthur as a DOC ranger in Hokitika and previously exhibited graphite pencil drawings of animals in Auckland.

“I’ve always been kind of obsessed with drawing animals and anything that’s kind of natural and wild. I thought, ‘that’s really cool.’ It was a hell of an awesome job,” he said.

He said they talked about McArthur’s vision constantly, and he spent about 12 hours a day for about six weeks creating the artwork. Read the full story from The Press.

Temple Basin will not open this season due to lack of snow

Temple Basin ski area has announced it will not open for the 2025 winter season, citing insufficient snowfall.

While the lodge at Temple Basin has been open for accommodation since mid-July, operators said there has not been enough snow to safely run the rope tows. “There has simply not been enough snow to safely operate our rope tows,” the ski area wrote on its Facebook account. The New Zealand Snow Safety Institute (NZSSI) will also continue to run its training courses at the venue. Temple Basin season pass holders are being contacted directly with details on their options. Read more from Snow Brains.