8 Winter 2024 Winter 2024 ISSUE 8 BUY PDF CONTENTS Click on image for full view and caption doc-update-H.webp Image: Ainsley Harris | DOC How to dress for success in the great outdoors The right clothing will not only ensure you have a more comfortable and enjoyable trip but could literally save your life. Here’s some top tips for how to dress for the colder months. 
Photo | DOC ckw.nz/dress-outdoors Great Walks mythbusting There’s been a bit of misinformation going around about booking our Great Walks. We’ve written this blog to tackle the most common misconceptions. Photo: Milford Track | DOC ckw.nz/great-walks-myths Temporary closure of Northland tracks for cyclone recovery Two of Northland’s popular walks at Mangawhai Cliffs and Mt Manaia will be closed while they are repaired and enhanced after damage by Cyclone Gabrielle. Alternative tracks are available. Photo: Damage to Mangawhai Headland Walkway February 2023 | DOC ckw.nz/northland-tracks Cathedral Cove options Closed by extreme weather in Feb 23, three options are being considered. One is a short-term fix which would see construction of new steps and a boardwalk to reinstate a section of the existing track, while the two others would be long-term repairs involving installation of a cantilevered staircase and steps to the beach. 
Photo: Cathedral Cove damage Image: Ainsley Harris | DOC ckw.nz/cove-options Teaching the cultural story of the environment in Taranaki Te Ara Taiao is an education programme teaching school children about the environment and culture around them in Taranaki. 
Photo: Patuha maunga (known as Kaitake), one of the maunga 
that students learn about. | DOC ckw.nz/taranaki-story New suspension bridge on the Taranaki Maunga Within Egmont National Park/Te Papakura o Taranaki, it has been designed for a lifespan of 100 years, and to withstand the sub-alpine Manganui Gorge’s winds, weather conditions and a one in 250-year Mt Taranaki Avalanche. Supported by two massive masts at either end, the bridge sits 49.5m above the floor of the gorge. Photo: Suspension bridge on the Taranaki Maunga .
Wayne Boness |DOC ckw.nz/manganui Jos Divis cottage restoration celebrated Family members from the Czech Republic were among those who gathered at the old gold mining township of Waiuta today to celebrate the restoration of Jos Divis’ old home. Czech émigré Divis (1885–1967) was a keen amateur photographer who documented gold mining life during the heyday of the town, about 35 km from Reefton.
Photo: Jos Divis’ restored cottage at Waiuta | DOC ckw.nz/waiuta Dog attack believed to have killed 19 gulls in Kaikōura Te Rūnanga o Kaikōura and DOC are reminding people to control dogs in coastal areas after 19 gulls/tarāpunga were found dead at Kaikōura’s South Bay, seemingly killed by a dog or dogs. “Dog owners should keep their dogs on a lead, not only to protect wildlife but also to keep their dog safe. We have witnessed seals attack unsuspecting dogs in the past.” Photo: Dead gulls South Bay, Kaikōura | DOC ckw.nz/dogs-gulls Quad bikers trash national park track Quad bikers trash national park track. In March a group of quad bike riders has caused extensive damage in Arthur’s Pass National Park in Canterbury, crushing sensitive vegetation, trashing boardwalks and leaving a trail of empty alcohol cans in their wake. 
Photo: The quad bike people of interest. | DOC ckw.nz/quads Canterbury spotted skink in serious trouble One of our rarest, seldom-seen skinks is even more threatened than we had thought, with fewer than 1000 mature individuals. It is now classified as Nationally Critical — the last step before extinction. Most Canterbury spotted skink populations are on private and council land. 
Canterbury spotted skink Image: James Reardon | DOC ckw.nz/skinks DOC Ōtepoti Visitor Centre to close DOC is closing its Ōtepoti Dunedin Visitor Centre and will focus on wildlife advocacy in the city in other ways. The i site will continue to provide visitor information and share wildlife advocacy information. Information about wildlife, tracks and huts in the region can be found on the DOC website. 
Photo: Sandy Bay lookout. | DOC ckw.nz/otepoti GO TO Autumn Gold DOC update DOC How to dress for success in the great outdoors The right clothing will not only ensure you have a more comfortable and enjoyable trip but could literally save your life. Here’s some top tips for how to dress for the colder months. Photo | DOC ckw.nz/dress-outdoors Great Walks mythbusting There’s been a bit of misinformation going around about booking our Great Walks. We’ve written this blog to tackle the most common misconceptions. Photo: Milford Track | DOC ckw.nz/great-walks-myths Temporary closure of Northland tracks for cyclone recovery Two of Northland’s popular walks at Mangawhai Cliffs and Mt Manaia will be closed while they are repaired and enhanced after damage by Cyclone Gabrielle. Alternative tracks are available. Photo: Damage to Mangawhai Headland Walkway February 2023 | DOC ckw.nz/northland-tracks Cathedral Cove options Closed by extreme weather in Feb 23, three options are being considered. One is a short-term fix which would see construction of new steps and a boardwalk to reinstate a section of the existing track, while the two others would be long-term repairs involving installation of a cantilevered staircase and steps to the beach. Photo: Cathedral Cove damage Image: Ainsley Harris | DOC ckw.nz/cove-options Teaching the cultural story of the environment in Taranaki Te Ara Taiao is an education programme teaching school children about the environment and culture around them in Taranaki. Photo: Patuha maunga (known as Kaitake), one of the maunga that students learn about. | DOC ckw.nz/taranaki-story New suspension bridge on the Taranaki Maunga Within Egmont National Park/Te Papakura o Taranaki, it has been designed for a lifespan of 100 years, and to withstand the sub-alpine Manganui Gorge’s winds, weather conditions and a one in 250-year Mt Taranaki Avalanche. Supported by two massive masts at either end, the bridge sits 49.5m above the floor of the gorge. Photo: Suspension bridge on the Taranaki Maunga .Wayne Boness |DOC ckw.nz/manganui Jos Divis cottage restoration celebrated Family members from the Czech Republic were among those who gathered at the old gold mining township of Waiuta today to celebrate the restoration of Jos Divis’ old home. Czech émigré Divis (1885–1967) was a keen amateur photographer who documented gold mining life during the heyday of the town, about 35 km from Reefton. Photo: Jos Divis’ restored cottage at Waiuta | DOC ckw.nz/waiuta Dog attack believed to have killed 19 gulls in Kaikōura Te Rūnanga o Kaikōura and DOC are reminding people to control dogs in coastal areas after 19 gulls/tarāpunga were found dead at Kaikōura’s South Bay, seemingly killed by a dog or dogs. “Dog owners should keep their dogs on a lead, not only to protect wildlife but also to keep their dog safe. We have witnessed seals attack unsuspecting dogs in the past.” Photo: Dead gulls South Bay, Kaikōura | DOC ckw.nz/dogs-gulls Quad bikers trash national park track Quad bikers trash national park track. In March a group of quad bike riders has caused extensive damage in Arthur’s Pass National Park in Canterbury, crushing sensitive vegetation, trashing boardwalks and leaving a trail of empty alcohol cans in their wake. Photo: The quad bike people of interest. | DOC ckw.nz/quads Canterbury spotted skink in serious trouble One of our rarest, seldom-seen skinks is even more threatened than we had thought, with fewer than 1000 mature individuals. It is now classified as Nationally Critical — the last step before extinction. Most Canterbury spotted skink populations are on private and council land. Canterbury spotted skink Image: James Reardon | DOC ckw.nz/skinks DOC Ōtepoti Visitor Centre to close DOC is closing its Ōtepoti Dunedin Visitor Centre and will focus on wildlife advocacy in the city in other ways. The i site will continue to provide visitor information and share wildlife advocacy information. Information about wildlife, tracks and huts in the region can be found on the DOC website. Photo: Sandy Bay lookout. | DOC ckw.nz/otepoti Up Up 8 Winter 2024 , p 39

11 autumn 2025 Autumn 2025 ISSUE 11 BUY PDF ToC Click on image for full view and caption Visitors at Mautohe Cathedral Cove ©2025 DOC Cape Farewell, Pūponga Farm Park ©2025 M Richardson Aoraki/Mt Cook from Sealy Tarns. Michael Hamilton Creative Commons Remotest hut: Gorge River Hut. © DOC Whariwharangi Campsite.: Sharon Hart | CC BY 2.0 Northern Buller’s albatross in Peru. © Javier Quiñones Whio live year-round on fast flowing rivers and streams ©DOC GO TO Here & there last summer DOC update Visitors flock back to Mautohe Cathedral Cove Hundreds of people a day are visiting Mautohe Cathedral Cove’s famous beach following the reinstatement of walking access to the Coromandel beach. DOC has a new process to manage weather and landslide-related risk at the Cove. Watch for any track warnings or closures on DOC’s website. ckw.nz/mautohe New management for Puponga Farm Park Two parties have been chosen to manage Pūponga Farm Park, adjacent to Golden Bay’s Onetahua/Farewell Spit. HealthPost Nature Trust will carry out restoration work in the Triangle Flat area of the farm park. They will build a predator fence across the base of the spit to provide a line of defence against reinvading predators. They will work closely with Pest Free Onetahua, a large-scale conservation project removing pests on Onetahua/Farewell Spit and the surrounding areas. The farm and crossing road area will remain open to the public. ckw.nz/puponga Image:Cape Farewell, Pūponga Farm Park | ©2025 M Richardson $35-rate IVL tourist dollars supports the conservation estate $30 million from the the previous $35-rate International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy will be used to fund more than a dozen projects to boost biodiversity and the tourist economy. $11 million for tourist access and safety, including upgrades to huts, suspension bridges, car parks, facilities. $19 million for reducing the spread of predators and invasive plant species to protect biodiversity. The funding covers work across the next three years. ckw.nz/govt-funding-IVL Image: Aoraki/Mt Cook from Sealy Tarns. Michael Hamilton | Creative Commons Favourite West Coast huts On the West Coast you’ll find a huge range of tramping opportunities. A few West Coast staff share their favourite huts and adventures. ckw.nz/wc-huts Image: Remotest hut: Gorge River Hut. © DOC The Great Walks DOC has announced that bookings for the 2025/26 season for New Zealand’s Great Walks and other huts and campsites will open in May. ckw.nz/great-walks-25 Mythbusting: There’s been a bit of misinformation going around about booking our Great Walks. We’ve written this blog to tackle the most common misconceptions. ckw.nz/gw-myths Image: Whariwharangi Campsite.: Sharon Hart | CC BY 2.0 There and back again — an albatross’ tale If you’re after epic adventures, you can’t look past the story of Carlos Zavalaga, who followed Northern Buller’s albatross all the way from Peru to the tiny island of Motuhara in the Chathams and back again! ckw.nz/albatross Image: Northern Buller’s albatross in Peru.© Javier Quiñones The ten-buck-duck: Whio Take a duck-dive into the shallows for a quick wade around the ducks of Aotearoa. Includes advice on being decent to ducks. ckw.nz/10-buck-duck Image: Whio live year-round on fast flowing rivers and streams | ©DOC Up Up 11 Autumn 2025 , p 33

12 Winter 2025 ISSUE 12 BUY PDF ToC Click on image for full view and caption An angler on the Tongariro River ©DOC Slab Creek Hut ©DOC Usha the ruru ©South Island Wildlife Hospital GO TO Chilly chilly chilly out there DOC update DOC New licence system for Taup ō trout fishery Purchasing fishing licences for the Taupō Trout Fishery will be easier under a new licence sales system that began in June.Image:An angler on the Tongariro River ©DOC ckw.nz/trout-taupo Rare slab hut refurbishment keeps traditional ways alive A refurbishment of the West Coast’s Slaty Creek Hut has served as a catalyst for rangers to learn about wood working methods used by pioneers. Image: Slab Creek Hut ©DOC ckw.nz/slab-hut Fossicking rules broken as gold fever strikes West Coast DOC Rangers are concerned that gold fossickers breaking rules are potentially threatening the stability of the Slab Hut Creek Campsite, south of Reefton on the West Coast. There have been problems with fossickers mining into the creek bank which could result in the creek eroding into the campground. ckw.nz/slab-hut-gold Watch out for ruru/morepork DOC is reminding the public to keep an eye out for ruru with five injured or sick birds from the West Coast being cared for in the past month. ckw.nz/ruru Image : Usha the ruru ©South Island Wildlife Hospital 🏕️ Up Up 12 Winter 2025 , p 32

Winter 2025 ISSUE 12 BUY PDF ToC Click on image for full view and caption An angler on the Tongariro River ©DOC Slab Creek Hut ©DOC Usha the ruru ©South Island Wildlife Hospital GO TO CHILLY CHILLY CHILLY OUT THERE DOC update DOC New licence system for Taup ō trout fishery Purchasing fishing licences for the Taupō Trout Fishery will be easier under a new licence sales system that began in June.Image:An angler on the Tongariro River ©DOC ckw.nz/trout-taupo Rare slab hut refurbishment keeps traditional ways alive A refurbishment of the West Coast’s Slaty Creek Hut has served as a catalyst for rangers to learn about wood working methods used by pioneers. Image: Slab Creek Hut ©DOC ckw.nz/slab-hut Fossicking rules broken as gold fever strikes West Coast DOC Rangers are concerned that gold fossickers breaking rules are potentially threatening the stability of the Slab Hut Creek Campsite, south of Reefton on the West Coast. There have been problems with fossickers mining into the creek bank which could result in the creek eroding into the campground. ckw.nz/slab-hut-gold Watch out for ruru/morepork DOC is reminding the public to keep an eye out for ruru with five injured or sick birds from the West Coast being cared for in the past month. ckw.nz/ruru Image : Usha the ruru ©South Island Wildlife Hospital 🏕️ Up Up 12 Winter 2025 , p 32