Conservation

The government considers supporting bids to establish the first herds of special interest in Aotearoa, as hunter and conservation groups try to strike a balance in managing introduced species.

A funding boost has been announced for conservation body QEII National Trust, as well as a $750,000 injection for a Waikato conservation project.

Signs notifying people of the controlled area boundaries will be put in place in parts of the North Shore.

There's no evidence of a breeding population after the discovery of a second fruit fly on Thursday, according to New Zealand's head of biosecurity. Audio

It is estimated to have been around in Aotearoa for 500 million years.

The $202 million project would rewild Rakiura-Stewart Island, the Chatham Islands and the Auckland Island.

Southland's regional council has failed to meet its duties to monitor and protect wetlands, the High Court has ruled, in a landmark court case.

Conservationists are at odds with Fisheries New Zealand over a proposal to increase the commercial crayfish catch limit in the Eastern North Island. Audio

Part of the protected Kaimaumau Wetland has been drained illegally and will take up to 10 years to recover, a local farmer and expert says.

Northland's largest wetland has suffered significant damage to an area the size of 54 rugby fields after a landowner allowed livestock to enter, sprayed pesticides and illegally installed drains.

The last survey of Māui dolphins, put the worldwide population at just 54 individuals aged over a year old.

The snakes can be venomous to humans and, if bitten, can cause symptoms of swelling, nausea, vomiting, headache, diarrhoea and muscle pain. Audio

The Ashburton District Council will investigate a cat policy after conservationists asked for help to keep bird songs ringing out.