| Department of Conservation (DOC)  The Department of Conservation (DOC)-DOC administers most of the land in New Zealand. This is almost a third of New Zealand 's land area, including national, forest and maritime parks, marine reserves, nearly 4000 reserves, river margins, some coastline, several hundred wetlands, and many offshore islands. Most of the land under its control is protected for either scenic, scientific, historic or cultural reasons, or set aside for recreation.
Providing for recreation is a major part of its core work, and this covers the management of family picnic sites, as well as maintaining rugged backcountry tracks and over 1000 accompanying backcountry huts that are used by hunters and recreational trampers. DOC also administers the Nature Heritage Fund, and is responsible for rural fire control.
New Zealand has fourteen national parks, eighteen marine reserves and many other protected areas for the conservation of biodiversity. The New Zealand Department of Conservation administers approximately 30% of New Zealand's land, along with less than 1% of the country's marine environment, for conservation and recreational purposes.
New Zealand's Great Walks The nine New Zealand Great Walks are a set of popular tramping tracks. They are New Zealand's premier walking tracks, through areas of some of the best scenery in the country. Despite thousands of visitors a year, the Department of Conservation (DOC) maintains the pristine beauty of the surrounding environment with well-built huts and boarded trails. These conservation techniques will help the natural ecosystems sustain the many visitors that embark on these great journeys.
The tracks are maintained to a high standard, making it easier for visitors to explore some of the most scenic parts of New Zealand's back country. Huts are conveniently located, comfortable, well-equipped, and high capacity. Both the huts and tracks on the Great Walks are of a higher standard than other tramping tracks in New Zealand.
| Abel Tasman Coastal Track | An easy two- to three-day walk close to beaches and bays in Abel Tasman National Park (South Island). | | Heaphy Track | A four- to five-day, medium to hard 77km tramp through the forest and karst (limestone) landscape of Kahurangi National Park (South Island). The last day includes a magnificent beach walk. | | Kepler Track | The four- to five-day, 67km walk in Fiordland National Park (South Island) is a medium to hard tramp. Climb to the top and enjoy alpine, lake and river-valley scenery. | | Lake Waikaremoana Track | A three- to four-day, easy to medium tramp in Te Urewera National Park (North Island), with great views of the lake and surrounding bush-clad slopes. | | Milford Track | This 54km, four-day walk in Fiordland National Park (South Island) is one of the world's best-known. It's an easy walk and includes an alpine-pass crossing and views of river valleys, glaciers and waterfalls. | | Rakiura Track | A three-day tramp on Stewart Island, mostly on duckboards and requiring medium fitness. The track goes along the coast and through forest. | | Routeburn Track | A medium, three-day, 40km walk through the stunning alpine scenery of Mt Aspiring and Fiordland National Parks (South Island). | | Tongariro Northern | A four-day, medium to hard tramp through the active volcanic landscape of Tongariro National Park (North Island). Part of this tramp can be done was the one-day Tongoriro Crossing. | | Whanganui Journey | A canoe trip down the Whanganui National Park (North Island). Designated a Great Walk even though it's obviously not a walk. |
Source: Lonely Planet New Zealand
A Word from our Alumni: "Another very memorable trip I took was a 4-day backpacking trip to Stewart Island. Wildlife conservation there is extremely important. One day I ventured to Ulva Island, New Zealand's kiwi bird reservation. On the way there, a local fisherman explained the importance of keeping these birds safe, and of preserving all New Zealand wildlife. While there, I couldn't believe how untainted the land was. It was almost as if I could have stepped onto the island 200 years ago, and it would look exactly the same. New Zealand takes great pride in conserving much of its environment."
- J. Kimmell, American University, Semester Abroad at University of Otago
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