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EnglishHow to Get Involved or Have Your Say on Conservation Matters Through DOC
Updated
The Department of Conservation (DOC) website, doc.govt.nz, offers two main ways for the public to participate: formal consultation processes where you submit feedback on specific proposals, and participatory activities such as the wild goat hunt challenge. Current consultation examples on the site include the 25-year review of Te Tapuwae o Rongokako Marine Reserve, which DOC and Ngāti Konohi have opened for public input. To find opportunities and track outcomes, use DOC's media releases and conservation blog posts, which announce consultations and report on events.
Formal consultation: having your say
DOC runs public consultation on proposals that affect conservation land, marine reserves, and species management. The site currently highlights the review of Te Tapuwae o Rongokako Marine Reserve, where DOC and Ngāti Konohi are inviting the public to comment as part of a 25-year review.
To take part in a consultation like this:
- Find the active consultation. Check DOC's media releases and the conservation blog for announcements — these are where DOC publicises calls for submissions and explains what a review covers.
- Read the proposal. Each consultation notice describes what is being reviewed and why, so you can respond to the actual questions rather than the topic in general.
- Submit your feedback through the channel named in the announcement. The site does not publish a single universal submission form; the entry point is the specific notice for each consultation.
- Watch for the outcome. DOC reports results and next steps through media releases and blog posts, so the same pages you used to find the consultation are where you can verify what happened.
Common sticking point: consultations are time-bound. If a notice is no longer current, the submission window has likely closed — look for the most recent media release on the topic rather than an older page.
Participatory activities: the wild goat hunt challenge
DOC promotes hands-on participation alongside consultation. One current example is the wild goat hunt challenge, which DOC frames as turning a hunt — first or fourth, solo or with mates — into meaningful action to reduce pressure on New Zealand's landscapes, with an entry draw for participants.
This kind of activity suits people who want to contribute directly rather than through written feedback. The practical steps are the same as for consultation: find the current challenge notice on the DOC site, read the participation conditions it sets out, and follow the instructions in that notice. The site does not publish separate pricing or eligibility details beyond what each challenge announcement states, so treat the notice itself as the authoritative source.
Where to follow updates
DOC's media releases and conservation blog posts are the site's main channels for consultation news and event updates. They carry announcements of new consultations, reminders of closing dates, and results — for example, DOC staff meeting the Hahei Residents and Ratepayers Association a second time to work through next steps for the Hahei Beach Short Walk. Checking these channels regularly is the most reliable way to catch a consultation while it is open.
Other ways the site points you to involvement
The homepage also surfaces issues where public behaviour matters, even without a formal submission process:
- H5 bird flu (H5N1 avian influenza) has been detected in New Zealand, per the site — relevant if you encounter wildlife.
- Whitebait fishing season is open, and the site explains when, where, and how to fish for whitebait in New Zealand and the Chatham Islands — a regulated activity where following the rules is itself a form of participation.
- Seabird protection — with at-risk flesh-footed shearwaters returning to New Zealand shores, DOC reminds recreational fishers and beachgoers to take extra care to protect these birds from fishing gear and plastic waste.
Choosing your route
| If you want to… | Use… | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Influence a specific decision | Active consultations (e.g., the Te Tapuwae o Rongokako Marine Reserve review) | A defined submission window and a named feedback channel |
| Contribute directly in the field | Participatory challenges (e.g., the wild goat hunt) | Entry conditions and a draw, as described in the challenge notice |
| Stay informed | Media releases and conservation blog posts | Announcements, reminders, and outcomes of consultations and events |
Start with the media releases and blog on doc.govt.nz: they tell you which consultations are open now and which activities are running, and they are where you can confirm results afterwards.