Forest & Bird Northern Branch

29/03/2026

Don't forget our AGM this Tuesday!

20/03/2026

A couple weekends ago we headed out to Matakohe - limestone island 🏝️

We visited the summit - an old Māori pa site and had lunch at the ruins of the cement works.

The island is a conservation area and home to a kiwi crèche and an overall safe haven for our native birds 🐦

17/03/2026

Thank you to everyone who came by to support Denniston Plateau at the markets in Whangārei.

This ecological wonder is teeming with life and New Zealanders across the motu want to see it protected, not destroyed for single-use, climate-warming fossil fuels.

It's clear the public wants places like Denniston protected forever as a scientific reserve 🍃

04/03/2026

Interested in a day trip to Matakohe-limestone island this weekend?

See below for details and don't forget to RSVP ⬇️

13/01/2026

Not quite found in the forest! Also known as Piharau, this ancient (and taonga) species is found throughout Aotearoa and is nationally threatened.

NRC has a good info page for further reading: Piharua/kanakana/Lamprey - Geotria australis - Northland Regional Council https://share.google/tIew158bt0NPlMkuc

🐟Kanakana are hanging on – but only just. As a species that spends years in our rivers, they are especially vulnerable to pollution, land use changes, and climate stress. Warmer water and altered flow patterns are already impacting their spawning behaviour.

We need to act now.
✅ Support riparian planting and fish passage improvements
✅ Reduce water pollution in your own community
✅ Learn and share their story
✅ Order an Awhi Awa Kete to educate and inspire your rōpū. www.endangeredspecies.org.nz/awhi-awa

Kanakana are a unique and endangered species worth standing up for. Let’s give them a future.

12/01/2026

29/12/2025

MUSHROOM MAGIC 🍄
Forest Fun and Film for All Ages

3rd January, 2026 at ONEONESIX

1pm - 4pm
Free arts activities for kids & adults

4:30pm - 7:30pm
Quest for the best short film screening

Ticketed Fungi Film Fest screening Details at http://tinyurl.com/MushroomMagic2026

09/12/2025

Join us, this Sunday, for our last event of the year! 🌿

09/12/2025

🌳🪶 The Government has announced their proposal to replace the RMA. Here's our first take 🌳🪶

It is crucial that our environmental laws help people and nature thrive. By having a system that is simpler and more effective, we can improve people's lives while caring for our wildlife.

The new system announced yesterday is a huge piece of law: about 750 pages. We've started digesting the proposals and what they mean for nature. We have some initial concerns and recommendations.

🏞️ The biggest concern is the weakening of protections for nature on private property. Everything from deforestation to water pollution can happen within private land. Excluding these effects is a recipe for environmental decline.

⚖️ There is also risk that councils will weaken biodiversity, freshwater, and coastal protections to avoid compensation and litigation for protecting nature.

✅ The biggest opportunity in the legislation is the inclusion of environmental limits. We want to see limits that are strong and science-based to protect communities and wildlife.

This is the biggest change to environmental protection in generations: it deserves a robust process. Given the rushed and flawed approach with fast-track legislation, it is crucial that everyday Kiwi can have their say to shape these crucial protections.

While we digest more, we’ll keep you in the loop, but rest assured we will be advocating for our wildlife every step of the way.

For more information, read our media release responding to yesterday's announcement: https://www.forestandbird.org.nz/resources/rma-replacement-risks-weakening-protections-nature

Read more about the reforms here: https://environment.govt.nz/news/government-unveils-major-overhaul-of-new-zealands-planning-system/

07/12/2025

An issue that sits close to our hearts at Forest & Bird - have your say and speak up for our beach nesting birds

We want to hear what you think about vehicles on beaches, and your feedback will help us review the Control of Vehicles on Beaches Bylaw of 2009.

Have your say here:
🚙 https://www.wdc.govt.nz/Whats-new/Have-your-say/Current-Consultations/Vehicles-on-beaches-bylaw

The bylaw is designed to keep people safe, protect public health, and reduce nuisance, by managing how vehicles are used on beaches across Whangārei District. For both the feedback form and the interactive map, we'll be asking for locations where you think the rules should change.

Consultation closes 15 February 2026.

24/11/2025