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 beak, the Adzebill … 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 Tramping Club, and … 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 or interests in … 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 recede during dry … 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 overseas interests. “Campaign … 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 American English in … 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” and “bleak” used … 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, even if the … 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 people disengaging from … 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 competition increases and … 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 years, many disengage … 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 effort to address … 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. For generations of … 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 policy. Strong views … Continue reading
The construction of a community-funded seawall at Port Waikato is being presented as a local success story. Residents, facing ongoing coastal erosion and limited institutional support, organised, funded, and built a structure to protect their homes and maintain access. The … Continue reading
The Waikato River is increasingly being described through symptoms: toxic algal blooms, invasive clams, declining water quality, and community concern. The latest reporting adds a further layer, pointing to geothermal inputs and biological changes occurring at the same time. Each … Continue reading
A report noting declining vegetable consumption might seem distant from outdoor recreation. On the surface it is about diet, cost, and changing habits. Look more closely and it reflects something broader: a gradual move away from the basic skills that … Continue reading
Christchurch’s wastewater situation presents a clear example of what happens when infrastructure, regulation, and decision-making fall out of alignment. Faced with a failing treatment system and ongoing public complaints, one proposed response was to discharge tens of millions of litres … Continue reading
A proposal to deploy marine carbon storage technology in New Zealand waters raises a familiar question. Not whether innovation should occur, but whether it should proceed ahead of clear evidence and established regulatory frameworks. The distinction matters because the environment … Continue reading
Fuel constraints expose an assumption that often goes largely unexamined. Much of New Zealand’s outdoor recreation depends on private vehicles, whether to reach trailheads, transport equipment, launch boats, or access remote backcountry areas. That system functions efficiently when fuel is … Continue reading
