Manawatū River Source to Sea

01/09/2026

Invasive pest control needs a new approach

Distinguished Professor Philip Hulme FRSNZ points out that the reconfiguration of local government offers a rare opportunity for New Zealand’s biosecurity system – to prepare against the next wave of invasions by pests and weeds.

https://theconversation.com/nzs-invasive-pest-control-needs-a-new-approach-starting-with-local-government-reform-289376?mc_cid=d319617708&mc_eid=c7e5e721fd

Repost Royal Society Te Apārangi

Effective pest control depends on local teams but requires national oversight and funding. A federated system could strengthen New Zealand’s biosecurity response.

23/08/2026

Congratulations to Wildlife Foxton on their incredible funding success!

View a list of projects that were successful in the DOC Community Fund 2026 funding round.

09/07/2026

It's official. The Ministry for the Environment is now part of the new Ministry of Cities, Environment, Regions and Transport (MCERT).

MCERT is set to bring housing, transport, regional development and environmental functions together under one roof. The Government says the new ministry presents an opportunity to solve some of the country's biggest problems under one roof, while critics say the new entity deprioritises the environment. According to RNZ, an overwhelming majority of public submissions opposed dismantling the Ministry for the Environment to make way for the new agency.

Want to understand what’s changing? Read more below:
🔗 1News: https://www.1news.co.nz/2026/07/01/one-entity-to-rule-them-all-whats-in-the-govts-new-mega-ministry/

🔗 RNZ article reference: https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/politics/598713/chris-bishop-defends-new-ministry-under-scrutiny

07/07/2026

06/07/2026

Bird flu (highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1) is in Australia. It’s not here yet, but we can all be on the lookout for signs of the disease.
If you see groups of three or more sick or dying birds, marine mammals or other wildlife please report to MPI’s hotline: 0800 80 99 66.
Do not touch, handle or collect dead or dying birds.
We are working closely with lead agency MPI, DOC and other agencies and will keep you informed of any changes. Follow our socials for news and we will keep licence holders up to date by email.
MPI: https://www.mpi.govt.nz/biosecurity/pest-and-disease-threats-to-new-zealand/animal-disease-threats-to-new-zealand/high-pathogenicity-avian-influenza
Read this info sheet for hunters here: https://www.mpi.govt.nz/dmsdocument/62571-Avian-influenza-information-for-game-bird-hunters-factsheet
We will have game bird hunter-focussed information on our site: https://www.fishandgame.org.nz/environment/protect-nz-game-bird-habitats/high-pathogenicity-avian-influenza-hpai/

24/06/2026

In a world increasingly digitised and commodified, conservation land represents a bastion of truth and connection to the living world that is rightly accessible to all.

The proposed Conservation Amendment Bill seeks to fundamentally distort the role of the Department of Conservation from conserving and protecting the natural taonga of Aotearoa to monetising them. In its current form, the bill puts 60% of conservation land at risk of sale, development or exchange. It's a slap in the face of every kiwi who hopes their kids and grandkids will have the same or better access to the beautiful natural spaces they did. It also lays the groundwork for concentration of power at the ministerial level, silencing the voice of the people in decisions relating to their natural heritage.

There will be a public meeting at Globe Theatre on Tuesday the 30th of June at 7PM. It would be great to see you there, and please spread the word far and wide. I have attached the event poster and a one-page explainer to this message, so you can print and display them at your workplace or local message board.

Let's fill the Globe with a resounding rebuke to this shortsighted, greed-fuelled legislative bulldozer, and stop the conversion of living taonga into cold dead numbers on a screen!

https://www.facebook.com/events/1368860938470740

You'll find other helpful links in the comments

19/06/2026

16/06/2026

Awesome to see the incredible effort from Glen Oroua School 🌱 Mark from Environment Network Manawatū runs the Trees for Survival programme, and together they have grown these plants from seedlings before getting more than 900 into the ground in just a couple of hours. An amazing achievement by everyone involved.

16/06/2026

Proud to support Turitea School through the Trees for Survival programme, with Mark on site for the day helping bring it all to life 🌱

It was awesome to see the tamariki out there getting their hands dirty, learning about restoration, and making a real difference. The energy, care, and pride they showed says it all.