Council of Outdoor Recreation Associations of NZ Inc

Guest Post by Dave Rhodes As a child I remember Julie Andrews staring as Mary Poppins singling “Feed the birds tuppence a bag” a most endearing song that I remember well. I can still hear it echoing … Continue reading →

Research from Radio New Zealand has explored the use of recorded rodent sounds to attract rats toward traps. Speakers placed in forest areas broadcast calls continuously, encouraging movement toward specific locations rather than relying on chance encounters. … Continue reading →

 Reviewed by Tony Orman Southland born journalist Barry Soper is no doubt well known to many. His gravelly voice, tinged with humour sometimes erupting into a gleeful (or is it cynical ?) –  laugh, is well known … Continue reading →

Recent reporting highlights growing concern for coastal communities facing repeated flooding, erosion, and infrastructure damage. The discussion is often framed around increasing environmental pressures and the possibility of managed retreat. That may be part of the picture, … Continue reading →

A recent analysis reported by Radio New Zealand highlights growing concern about microplastics accumulating in New Zealand’s coastal environments, including areas often considered pristine. The focus has been on their impact on small seabed organisms such as … Continue reading →

by Tony Orman The  country’s largest orange roughy fishery is again on the verge of collapse. A new stock assessment in 2025 has confirmed that the fishery’s stock is close to collapse (8-18% biomass) with one of four … Continue reading →

The distinction between lobbying and bribery is clearly defined in law. Lobbying is a legitimate part of democratic process, allowing individuals and organisations to advocate for their interests. Bribery, by contrast, is a criminal offence under the … Continue reading →

Closing the Hauraki Gulf fishery does not remove pressure - it moves it. Guest Post by Dave Rhodes Concerns raised by residents of Aotea/Great Barrier Island, point to a sharp decline in kōura and increasing pressure on … Continue reading →

A proposal to develop the Waitaha hydro scheme on the West Coast has received draft approval through the fast-track process, prompting concern from recreation and environmental groups. The project would divert water from a remote river gorge … Continue reading →

Opinion by Laurie Collins I was more than gob-smacked by recent utterances by Forest and Bird (e.g. Forest and Bird’s regional conservation manager for Canterbury and the West Coast Nicky Snoyink’s column “Press” March 23) in which … Continue reading →

Central South Island Fish and Game has now completed two of the five annual live fish counts for sea-run salmon in the Rakitata/Rangitata River spring-fed spawning streams. The first count, conducted on 1 April, recorded 78 salmon … Continue reading →

From Facebook Long before humans set foot in the wild landscapes of New Zealand, the forests echoed with the presence of a strange and powerful bird-the Adzebill. With its heavy body, strong legs, and a thick, crushing … Continue reading →

Federated Mountain Clubs (FMC) is calling for the permanent protection of the Waitaha River in a joint open letter sent on 14 April 2026. FMC has co-signed an open letter with Forest & Bird, Greenpeace, NZ Canyoning Association, Buller … Continue reading →

by CORANZ researchers Campaign Against Foreign Control of Aotearoa (CAFCA) recently put out a press release which outlines the continuing foreign acquisition of New Zealand. “In 2025, the OIO approved the sale of 250,669 hectares of freehold land … Continue reading →

Reports from Radio New Zealand describe a confronting scene at Pukepuke Lagoon in Manawatū, where thousands of eels and other aquatic life were found dead or dying on an exposed lakebed. The lagoon has been known to … Continue reading →

by CORANZ researchers Last year CORANZ featured an article about the :relentless” takeover of New Zealand by way of foreign acquisitions of land and property. Back then the government’s held an Investment Summit where it courted wealthy … Continue reading →

Subtitle:- Imaginary Hobgoblins’ by Rupert Pye Politicians seem to have been well aware of playing “state of mind” tricks on people. H L Mencken (1880 – 1956) an American journalist, essayist, satirist, cultural critic and scholar of … Continue reading →

A recent media report summarising the Our Freshwater 2026 findings presents a familiar picture. Some indicators are improving, others are worsening, and overall trends remain mixed. The immediate reaction has been predictable, with terms such as “sobering” … Continue reading →

Most people notice it first in simple ways. Fewer butterflies in the garden. Fewer insects striking the windscreen after a long drive. These are not measured observations, but they are widely shared. They point to something changing, … Continue reading →

Participation in community life has not simply declined in isolated areas; it has shifted across a wide range of everyday behaviours. Lower voter turnout, reduced volunteering, and declining involvement in clubs sit alongside less formal signs: young … Continue reading →

Guest Post by Dave Rhodes Participation in organised sport narrows as young people move through their teenage years, a pattern that is widely recognised but often treated as a problem to be solved within sport itself. As … Continue reading →

Guest Post by Dave Rhodes The discussion around youth sport often focuses on participation and retention, yet far less attention is given to what follows when young people leave organised structures. As participation narrows through the teenage … Continue reading →

Guest Post by Dave Rhodes Participation in organised sport among young people is strong through primary school years, yet the drop-off during adolescence is well established. Recent initiatives, including corporate-backed programmes and community festivals, highlight a growing … Continue reading →

Most backcountry huts managed by Department of Conservation rely on a simple system: rainwater collected from the roof and stored in tanks. It is a practical solution, widely used, low cost, and generally assumed to be safe. … Continue reading →

A post from 2017, written for Fish and Game Magazine in 2017. It was refused publication. The debate around Predator Free New Zealand and the use of 1080 remains one of the most contested areas of environmental … Continue reading →