Department of Conservation, Motueka Area office

The Department of Conservation (DOC) was established in 1987 after a major reorganisation of central government agencies responsible for managing land and natural resources in New Zealand. DOC now manages about 30% of the total land area in New Zealand as public conservation land for the benefit of all New Zealanders. This comprises of national parks, forest parks, scenic reserves and marine reserves including many off shore islands.

For more information visit www.doc.govt.nz.

The Conservation Act 1987 set up the new government department to:

The management for conservation purposes all land and natural and historic resources held under the Act.
Preserve indigenous fresh water fisheries so far it is practicable.
Protect recreational fisheries and habitats.
Advocate for conservation.
Promote international co-operation.
Promote the benefits of conservation of natural and historic in NZ, Antarctica, the sub-antarctic islands and Ross Dependency.
Provide educational and promotional conservation information.
Foster recreation and allow tourism on conservation lands, providing its use is consistent with the conservation of the resource.
Provide advice to the Minister of Conservation.

The Nelson-Marlborough Conservancy is one of 14 regions set up around the country to manage activities in the top of the south from Kaikoura in to east to Kahurangi Point on the West Coast. There are five area offices where staff are located and carry out the day to day management task associated with maintaining services and facilities.

The Area Offices are Golden Bay based in Takaka, Nelson Lakes in St Arnaud, Sounds Area at Picton, South Marlborough based at Renwick and Motueka Area based locally.

Local staff include:
Martin Rodd; Motueka Area Manager
Mark Townsend, Programme Manager Visitor Assets
Ginny Strong, Service Manager
Bruce van der Lee Programme Manager Biodiversity Assets
Rudy Tetteroo Programme Manager Community Relations.

The Motueka Area manages the southern portion of Abel Tasman National Park, Karamea and Wangapeka Rivers in Kahurangi National Park, Mt Owen and parts of Mt Richmond Forest Park.

It employs around 40 staff in summer from hut wardens on the Abel Tasman to visitor centre staff at the Nelson Regional Visitor Centre. During winter the core numbers drop to about 20.

The main work activities include:

Maintaining the huts and tracks in the Abel Tasman and Kahurangi National Parks.
Fire control is very important as the region gets very dry in summer. Other programmes include animal pest control and weed control to stop the spread of nuisance animal and weed species. Staff help manage two marine reserves at Tonga Island Marine Reserve and Horoirangi Marine Reserve. Marine mammals such as seals, dolphins and whales are also protected by legislation managed by the Department.
There are a number of community groups also involved in important conservation work including Friends of Flora and Abel Tasman Birdsong Trust.

Contact Motueka Area Office:
Ph 03-5281810
PO Box 97
Motueka 7175

OR
Nelson Regional Visitor Centre
Ph 03-5469339
PO Box 375
Nelson 7040

Abel Tasman foreshore management plan approved

Press releases

  •  New Anchorage hut for Abel Tasman coast track (19 April 2013)
  •  Eight new arrivals a boost for Kahurangi National Park whio (12 March 2013)
  •  Nasturtium a focus in pest butterfly eradication (1 February 2013)
  •  More trapping on Adele Island after stoat caught (30 January 2013)
  •  Roar hunting in Tasman wilderness (20 January 2013)
  •  Project Janszoon stoat trapping set up with student support (18 January 2013)
  •  Call for pest butterfly sightings in Richmond, Tasman and Nelson (11 January 2013)
  •  Big clean up of Tasman Bay beaches this Saturday (5 November 2012)
  •  New track around Abel Tasman Coast Track slip (31 October 2012)
  •  Abel Tasman foreshore management plan approved (28 June 2012)
  •  Donations from cyclists assist Heaphy Track upgrade work (1 May 2012)
  •  Chance to ride the Heaphy Track again this winter (23 April 2012)
  •  Project Janszoon Trust appoints high-profile directors (21 March 2012)
  •  Tasman Wilderness Area hunting opportunity (2 March 2012)