Air New Zealand
Introduction
DOC and Air New Zealand share a vision for New Zealand as a place where our natural environment is thriving, and that all New Zealanders can enjoy.
Air New Zealand is a national partner with DOC for conservation.
DOC and Air New Zealand recognise the critical role that the natural environment plays in the success of Aotearoa. Both acknowledge that our environment underpins our country’s cultural, social and economic prosperity and wellbeing. This is why we share a joint commitment to conservation leadership in New Zealand.
Image gallery
-
DOC Conservation dog handler Adeline with her dog, Blaze and Meghan, Air NZ flight attendant Image: | DOC
![DOC Conservation dog handler Adeline with her dog, Blaze and Meghan, Air NZ flight attendant]( "DOC Conservation dog handler Adeline with her dog, Blaze and Meghan, Air NZ flight attendant")
-
DOC Kākāpō Recovery Team translocating kākāpō to the mainland with the help of Air New Zealand 2023 Image: | DOC
![DOC Kākāpō Recovery Team translocating kākāpō to the mainland with the help of Air New Zealand 2023.]( "DOC Kākāpō Recovery Team translocating kākāpō to the mainland with the help of Air New Zealand 2023.")
-
Air New Zealand flight attendant checking on an important passenger. Image: | DOC
![Air New Zealand flight attendant checking on an important passenger - a kākāpō]( "Air New Zealand flight attendant checking on an important passenger - a kākāpō")
-
Tuatara being handed over to be transported to a new predator-free home in the Marlborough Sounds. Image: | DOC
![Tuatara being handed over from DOC to Air NZ flight crew.]( "Tuatara being handed over from DOC to Air NZ flight crew.")
-
DOC/Air New Zealand interpretation panel at Saxton Hut in Kahurangi National Park Image: | DOC
![DOC/Air NZ interpretation panel]( "DOC/Air NZ interpretation panel")
Restoring nature alongside the Great Walks
Air New Zealand invests in large biodiversity projects alongside the Great Walks network – enabling over 42,000 hectares of sustained pest control and the return of native birdsong to these special places.
These pest trapping networks means we’re able to create safer places for taonga species such as whio, takahē, kiwi, rock wren/tuke, kea, kākā, South Island robin/toutouwai and many other forest birds.
The partnership also funds species management projects including bird surveys and health checks; translocations to grow populations of rare birds and remote sensor trail cameras and acoustic recorders to understand how the health of the area is being restored.
Find out more about the biodiversity projects on the Abel Tasman Coast Track, Heaphy Track, Paparoa Track, Routeburn Track and Milford Track.
DOC’s Conservation Dogs Programme
Air New Zealand supports the Conservation Dogs Programme, a DOC led programme which supports highly trained dog-handler teams to detect New Zealand’s protected species or unwanted pests. The programme also includes:
World class training, mentoring and certification
Aotearoa was the first country in the world to use dogs in the conservation battle. Our leadership and innovation are now sought by regional councils, NGOs and internationally.
Efficient and accurate pest and species detection
The dogs are an incredible tool in locating and monitoring both predators and taonga species. With their unique scent capability and paired with their handler, the dogs are able to undertake work more efficiently than humans.
Learn more about conservation dogs and the work they do.
Supporting threatened species
Air New Zealand transports some of New Zealand’s most endangered species (birds, reptiles and invertebrates) and conservation dogs as part of active recovery programmes. Species are transported for genetic and population management, to treat illness and to establish new populations at safe breeding sites.
Air New Zealand has provided free flights for over 4,300 threatened species and conservation dogs since the partnership began in 2012.
