Category: Environment

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New DOC concessions support regional economies

Source: New Zealand Government

Long-term tourism concessions that will support jobs, strengthen regional economies, and keep visitor access open at key South Island destinations have been announced by Conservation Minister Tama Potaka.

The decisions include a 38-year concession for The Remarkables Ski Area, and a 30-year guided walking concession on the Milford Track and a 25-year concession for Te Ana-au Caves in Fiordland Te Rua o te Moko. 

“My focus is supporting jobs and regional economies.

“Long-term concessions give operators the certainty they need to invest, train staff, and plan ahead,” Mr Potaka says.

Tourism and Hospitality Minister Louise Upston says the decisions provide important confidence for the tourism sector and the regional economies that depend on it.

“Tourism supports thousands of jobs across the South Island. Giving operators long-term certainty helps businesses invest, retain staff, and deliver high-quality experiences for visitors, while supporting local communities,” Ms Upston says.

A 38-year concession has been issued to NZSki for The Remarkables, supporting jobs across Queenstown visitor economy, including hundreds of roles and local businesses. Public access to surrounding areas will continue.

In Fiordland Te Rua o te Moko, a 30-year guided walking concession for Tourism Milford Limited (Ultimate Hikes) will allow guided walking on the Milford Track to continue long term, supporting jobs across transport, accommodation and tourism services.

“These decisions strike the right balance of protecting our natural environment, supporting regional livelihoods, and ensuring people can continue to enjoy these places safely and responsibly,” Mr Potaka says.

These concessions include enforceable environmental and safety conditions, with the Department retaining full regulatory oversight.

MIL OSI

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/02/12/new-doc-concessions-support-regional-economies/

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Piopiotahi Milford Sound experiencing record summer

Source: NZ Department of Conservation

Date:  12 February 2026

Market intelligence from Great South suggests the Chinese market, which has been slower to rebound since COVID, has swung strongly back this summer – particularly for Chinese New Year.

Great South General Manager Tourism and Events Mark Frood says there has been continued growth in FIT (free independent traveller) demand, meaning more rental cars and self-drive visitors than in recent years.

“Chinese New Year is longer than usual this year – a 9-day holiday period – which is spreading demand and sustaining higher volumes. Air capacity into Auckland from Chinese gateways is up 18 per cent for the Chinese New Year period, and Christchurch capacity is particularly strong, with China Southern having 29 per cent increase for summer December to March period,” Mark Frood says.

The Department of Conservation (DOC) is working alongside Great South, Milford Sound Tourism Limited (MSTL), and the Milford Road Alliance to look after Piopiotahi, support peak periods and promote safe travel.

“Located within a remote World Heritage Area with limited infrastructure, managing the peaks of Milford Sound’s visitation is key to protecting both the environment and the visitor experience,” says DOC Operations Manager John Lucas.

“Visitors are encouraged to plan ahead, come well prepared, and uphold New Zealand’s Tiaki Promise by travelling safely and caring for the environment.

“The Milford Road is stunning but it can be slow, challenging and stressful to drive, particularly at peak times. Drivers should check weather and road conditions before setting out, allow extra travel and parking time, take care, and be considerate of others,” John Lucas says.

“With high traffic volumes putting pressure on the national park, taking a guided tour or coach is a great way to reduce your footprint, travel stress-free and enjoy the incredible scenery with insights from trained guides.

“Visitor facilities are kept to a minimum in this remote, natural location. People should be prepared to take out all they bring into the park including rubbish and ensure they use the available toilet facilities.

“These small acts of naturing help protect Piopiotahi so it can be enjoyed now and into the future.”

MSTL CEO Haylee Preston says the summer season has been exceptionally busy so far, with December day cruise passenger numbers up 12,117 (13%) and overall visitation six per cent higher than peak pre-COVID levels.

“Indications are that this could be Milford Sound’s busiest summer on record, although we won’t know for sure until the end of February,” Haylee Preston says.

“We’re expecting Chinese New Year to be another peak so MSTL will have extra parking attendants on the ground to help guide traffic and visitors.

“Visitors are advised onsite parking is limited and fills quickly. Those with cruise tour bookings should allow at least two hours to travel from Te Anau and 45 minutes for parking and walking to the terminal.”

DOC continues to work with Ngāi Tahu, community and key stakeholders to deliver short and long-term improvements for conservation and sustainable tourism on the Milford journey, building on recommendations from the Milford Opportunities Project.

Background information

For more information about tourism numbers and trends, visit Data Insights Southland Hub.

Advice for visitors – ‘Always be naturing’

We can all do our bit to take care of ourselves and the nature we enjoy, uphold New Zealand’s Tiaki Promise by preparing for your trip, travelling safely and caring for the environment.

Protect nature

Piopiotahi Milford Sound is a remote and environmentally sensitive area within Fiordland National Park with many rare and unique plants and animals.

  • Keep your distance and don’t feed wildlife.
  • Remove all rubbish from of the national park.
  • Plan comfort stops along the way. Public toilets are available at Knobs Flat and in Piopiotahi Milford Sound.
  • Leave dogs and other pets at home they pose a serious threat to precious wildlife and are not permitted in a national park, even in your vehicle.
  • Follow rules restricting drones, fires and vehicles.

Travel safely

Piopiotahi Milford Sound is situated at the end of a remote alpine road in a sensitive area of dynamic geology which exposes it to a range of natural hazards. It’s important all visitors plan and prepare for their visit.

Advice for drivers

Drive with care and be prepared for potential delays during peak periods.

  • Fill up with fuel before departing Te Anau.
  • Those with cruise bookings should allow at least 2 hours for the journey from Te Anau and 45 minutes to park and walk to the boat terminal.
  • Onsite parking is limited, and fills up quickly.
  • Be considerate of others and follow the guidance of staff and signage.

Find out more about how the Sustainable Destinations Piopiotahi Programme is progressing improvements on the Milford journey.

Contact

For media enquiries contact:

Email: media@doc.govt.nz

MIL OSI

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/02/12/piopiotahi-milford-sound-experiencing-record-summer/

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Space launch limits increased to support growth

Source: New Zealand Government

A huge increase in the number of space launches allowed from New Zealand will enable our space and advanced aviation sectors to continue their rapid growth, Space Minister Judith Collins and Environment Minister Penny Simmonds announced today.

“The permitted number of launches will rise from 100 to 1000, following a review of space vehicle launch debris regulations,” Ms Collins says.

“When the limit of 100 was first set in 2017, New Zealand had very little launch activity. Since then, the landscape has transformed, to the point where we are the world’s third most frequent launcher of orbital rockets.

“With this strong growth, the current launch limit is expected to be reached this year. This change ensures our space and advanced aviation industries can continue to expand while operating within clear environmental boundaries.”

Ms Simmonds says projections show the new limit will not be reached until at least 2050, providing long-term certainty for industry planning and investment.

“This follows a review of regulations for space vehicle launch debris in our Exclusive Economic Zone and Continental Shelf, feeding into a decision grounded in evidence, environmental assessment and responsible sector management.

“The review assessed environmental effects for up to 1000 launches and found the environmental risk to be low. 

“Without lifting the limit, every additional launch after the current cap is reached would require a fully notified marine consent. That would slow innovation, add unnecessary cost, and undermine the Government’s commitment to investment certainty for a sector that is rapidly growing and supporting regional economies.”

The space and advanced aviation sectors are growing rapidly and making a huge contribution to New Zealand’s economy, with the space sector contributing $2.47 billion in 2024, an increase of 48 percent on five years ago. Advanced aviation, which overlaps with the space sector, contributed an estimated $480 million in 2024.

Ms Collins says today’s announcement aligns with the Government’s long-term ambition for the sector, which includes doubling the size of New Zealand’s space and advanced aviation sectors by 2030.

“This is yet another example of the Government fixing the basics while building the future.”

MIL OSI

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/02/12/space-launch-limits-increased-to-support-growth/

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Pest cull at Auckland’s Western Springs Lake using electrocurrents

Source: Radio New Zealand

Usually, there are only calm currents at Auckland’s Western Springs Lake.

But this week, electrocurrents are being used to stun pest fish and turtles so they can be scooped up, brought to land and killed.

Associate Professor in Biodiversity and Ecology at the University of Waikato’s School of Science, Nicolas Ling, is one of the specialists scooping up hundreds of koi carp, including goldfish and brown bullhead catfish, on New Zealand’s only electrofishing boat.

He said no native species would be harmed by the electrofishing process.

“It puts a pulsed electric current into the water, and it temporarily stuns the fish, which means we can recover them. The native species, we can recover those, and we can put them back in the lake unharmed, and the pest species, we can humanely euthanise them.”

Ling said catfish were most likely released into the lake more than a hundred years ago. Koi were believed to have been introduced into New Zealand in the 1960s.

But he said most of the goldfish and turtles in the lake were people’s unwanted pets.

“People think they’re doing the right thing, you know, when they don’t want their pet anymore, they go and release it into the local lake. And it’s actually the worst thing you can do. If you want to take on a pet, then take it on for the course of its natural life.”

He said they were also removing red-eared slider turtles from the lake.

“Again, these are pets that people have released when they no longer want them. The problem with the turtle is, if you take that on as a pet, it’s a 50-year commitment. It’s a multi-generational pet. They get huge and it becomes very expensive to provide the habitat for an adult turtle. And so people just go and release them, which is a sad thing.”

Associate Professor in Biodiversity and Ecology at the University of Waikato’s School of Science Nicolas Ling. Nick Monro

All of the pests collected were brought back to shore to be killed and then taken off-site to be turned into compost or rendered down to produce natural gas.

While killing the pests was not a pretty sight, Ling said it was necessary.

“These particular species are known to cause negative impacts on water quality. The lake should be nice and clean, but it’s not, and the fish are definitely contributing to that. They stir up the bottom sediments, and that resuspends nutrients back into the water column, which can cause increases in algal growth and bacterial growth.

“The koi and the goldfish eat the plants in the lake, which also take out nutrients.

“Those challenges with water quality mean that it makes it potentially unsafe for recreation around the lake. You don’t want to be touching the water.

“There’s fantastic bird life around here. When the water quality is really poor, they can suffer from a disease called avian botulism.

“And of course, they’re competing with the native species as well. There are lots of eels in the lake, and that’s good to see. There are also īnanga, which are key whitebait species. There’s common smelt in the lake as well.”

The lake was home to three native eel species: the short-finned eel, the long-finned eel, and the Australian long-finned eel, and there are plans to declare the lake an eel sanctuary.

The Waikato University specialists would be at the lake for one week ending on Friday, 13 November, with the council saying there were plans for them to return in the near future to continue the pest removal operation.

Auckland Council Senior Freshwater Advisor Matthew Bloxham. Nick Monro

Auckland Council Senior Freshwater Advisor, Matthew Bloxham, said the council had previously tried other techniques to remove pests from the lake, but this was the first time they had brought in an electrofishing boat.

He said so far it had been a success.

The team at Western Springs had caught Koi weighing up to 14kg. The largest Koi ever caught in New Zealand weighed 15kg.

Invasive fish are being caught and eliminated in Western Springs. Nick Monro

“Not many people realise that they get so large,” Bloxham said.

We’ve found quite a few diseased goldfish in here recently. So, putting them in here doesn’t necessarily give them a better life. It’s actually passing on the problem to somebody else, in this case the environment.

“It’s far better to repurpose that goldfish or re-home it, reach out and see whether anybody’s prepared to take it on and there will be people out there, you know, people love goldfish, they are attractive things after all, but they’re a nuisance when they’re released into the wild.”

It was costing the council $20,000 to rent the electric fishing boat from Waikato University.

“The cost of this operation is not cheap. We’d prefer not to be spending the targeted rate on controlling pests. We’d rather spend it on direct biodiversity outcomes, such as planting trees, but it’s a necessary evil. We have to maintain these fish at really low numbers.”

“It only takes two fish, a male and a female, to breed up and to produce the sorts of volumes that we’re seeing here now. We’ve been fishing all week, and so far we’re just under 300 kilograms of fish. That’s hundreds of fish.”

Auckland Council Senior Freshwater Advisor Matthew Bloxham says eradication is the goal, but that won’t happen if people keep putting their goldfish in the lake. Nick Monro

Bloxham said eradication was the goal, but that wouldn’t happen if people kept putting their goldfish in the lake.

“If ever we do achieve eradication, and we’d really like to, that is our end goal, it’s so easily undone by somebody otherwise well-mannered person who thinks they’re doing their gold fish a favour and then just quietly, surreptitiously emptying them into the lake, and suddenly we’re back to square one.

“The big message that we’re trying to get out is that if you’re contemplating, you’ve reached the end of the year, and you’ve got a pet, you don’t know what to do with it, don’t release it into your waterway.”

Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.

– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/02/12/pest-cull-at-aucklands-western-springs-lake-using-electrocurrents/

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Government wants to bypass fast-track process for proposed liquefied natural gas terminal

Source: Radio New Zealand

A proposed liquefied natural gas terminal will bypass the fast-track process, documents show. RNZ

A proposed liquefied natural gas terminal will bypass even the fast-track process in order to be built in time for winter next year, documents show.

The government plans to rush through as many of the required approvals as possible ahead of the election, “to give the preferred supplier greater policy certainty that New Zealand is committed to developing the facility”, a Cabinet paper said.

A critic of the proposal says pushing the entire process through so quickly is unwarranted and the public and local communities should be properly consulted.

Energy Minister Simon Watts said this week that the government would proceed with plans to commission a liquefied natural gas (LNG) import facility in Taranaki, with whole-of-life costs spread across all electricity users through a levy.

Watts said it would result in overall savings to households, because it would help to lower electricity premiums during dry years when hydro lakes ran low.

The Cabinet paper, released after the announcement, noted that “timing is very tight” to get the facility up and running in time for winter 2027.

“An LNG terminal will require regulatory consents and approvals if it is to be operational ahead of winter 2027, and the existing Fast-track Approvals Act 2024 processes are unlikely to be sufficient,” Watts wrote.

“I propose developing an Enabling Liquefied Natural Gas Bill to provide the necessary consents, approvals, levy power and any modifications to existing legislation to enable the preferred LNG facility to be built and operational ahead of winter 2027.”

Energy Minister Simon Watts. RNZ / Samuel Rillstone

That would protect against the risk of late project delivery, the paper said.

The paper also warned that a future government might not proceed with LNG, and recommended signing contracts by the middle of this year to lock the concept in.

Expediting consents through special legislation would also help, it said.

“Our objective is to provide as many of these approvals as possible before the election.”

There were still risks even with a rapid consent process.

“LNG import facilities are highly technical in nature,” the paper said.

“Further, New Zealand does not have an ideal location (large deep-water port close to the main gas pipeline) to locate an LNG import facility, meaning that the technical challenges of importing LNG here are more significant than in some other countries.”

The government should carry out further technical analysis before proceeding with a preferred proposal, and “be prepared not to proceed with an accelerated proposal should further analysis suggest that the proposal(s) is/are unworkable”.

That could include considering options that might not be up and running until late 2027 or early 2028.

However, any construction and delivery delays could mean “substantial industry exits”, the paper warned.

During the 2024 energy crisis, several industrial users paused operations while others closed completely.

2027 not ‘a magical winter’

Environmental Defense Society chair Gary Taylor said the LNG proposal and the timeframe “sounds like another rushed project, redolent of the [Interislander] ferry fiasco”.

Environmental Defense Society chair Gary Taylor. Supplied

“Good policy, particularly when it involves significant capital investment, should not be rushed like this,” he said.

“I don’t see why the winter of 2027 is a magical winter. If time is constrained, then let’s go for winter 2028 and do it properly.”

Claims of more industry exits if a dry year occured in the meantime were just that, he said.

“Those with vested interests do tend to wave shrouds to support their cause.”

Instead, additional time could be used for a more considered analysis of the proposal and its alternatives, along with more meaningful engagement during the political process.

“It would enable much better consideration than you’re going to get through a rushed select committee process if this proposed bill is put through the House under urgency,” Taylor said.

Multiple reports, including one commissioned by the government, have warned that imported LNG should only be considered as a last resort.

An annex to the Cabinet paper, comparing LNG to alternatives such as diesel peakers, concluded LNG could be brought online faster than any other option – though it gave a timeframe as late as 2029 to get a facility operational.

No substantive consideration was given to grid-scale battery storage systems, or rooftop solar.

Large-scale battery technology had not progessed enough to cover “long-duration cover needs”, while rooftop solar would not provide enough additional energy during winter, when supply was most likely to be a problem, the annex said.

Cabinet proposal mirrors independent report details

Much of the detail in the Cabinet paper mirrored the findings of an independent report commissioned from Boston Consulting Group (BCG) last year by the four gentailers – Contact, Genesis, Mercury and Meridian.

That report recommended LNG only as a fuel of last resort and recommended a $2 per megawatt hour (MWh) levy across all gas and electricity users to make it economically feasible.

The Cabinet paper referenced the BCG report several times, including its estimate of a $10/MWh saving on electricity prices.

A spokesperson for Watts’ office said the $10/MWh was “estimated by MBIE based on Concept Consulting modelling and MBIE’s analysis”, but said it was also consistent with the BCG estimate.

That $10 figure – together with the final proposed levy of between $2 and $4 – appeared to be the basis of the government’s claim that households would save an average $50 on their annual power bills.

A net $8/MWh saving – if it were passed on in its entirety – would translate to between $56 for an average household using 7MWh of electricity a year.

Watts’ spokesperson did not confirm whether that calculation was the same one the government had arrived at.

A natural gas rig in Taranaki. Supplied

The Cabinet paper underscored the importance of not creating an ongoing dependency on LNG, which it said would risk an overall increase in power bills.

“Put simply, LNG should function as an insurance product: available when required but used only infrequently. Perhaps counterintuitively, LNG provides the greatest benefit when it is available as back-up and rarely used.”

BCG partner and report author Richard Hobbs said having LNG as a stand-by option in that way broadly made sense, but BCG had made many other recommendations.

“In and of itself, it’s not a silver bullet. There are a lot of other things that need to be done.”

The government needed to keep up the pace of renewables development, and address domestic gas supply and demand.

That included focusing on extracting what remained in existing gas fields – not exploring for new fields that could take a decade or more to come online.

The major gap was “really around the demand side, where there is not a programme to support users to transition from gas to electricity or biomass”, Hobbs said.

His report had recommended a $200 million fund to assist that transition.

The government scrapped the Labour-led government’s Government Investment in Decarbonising Industry (GIDI) fund, which served a similar purpose.

The Cabinet paper noted the need to “continue efforts to strengthen domestic gas supply and ensure alternatives like biomass and electrification continue in parallel, to create optionality, not dependency [on LNG]”.

It noted the BCG recommendation to set up a transition fund but did not endorse or suggest such a policy.

Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.

– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/02/12/government-wants-to-bypass-fast-track-process-for-proposed-liquefied-natural-gas-terminal/

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No dog, no – more “canine tourists” seen in cars in the Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park

Source: NZ Department of Conservation

Date:  11 February 2026

Pets are not permitted in New Zealand’s national parks or on DOC land where dogs are prohibited – even if the hounds are inside vehicles – and owners could face a $400 infringement fee.

DOC Principal Investigations Officer Marlous Heijs says staff at Aoraki/Mount Cook are seeing more canines in cars because they’re monitoring vehicles during the paid parking pilot running at Whitehorse Hill.

Staff have issued seven infringement notices in less than two months.

“We know this is an issue right around the country, but over the past couple of months our staff have seen it first hand at Aoraki, where they’ve spoken to people and gathered information and evidence,” she says.

“Some of the photos are quite classic. The dogs are clearly enjoying hanging out the windows and taking in the mountain air – but the issue of dogs in national parks is serious.”

“The rules are there to protect our precious native species. Dogs are loveable and popular pets, but they can have a massive impact on protected birds, plants and animals – and any pet can make a mistake and attack wildlife, defecate or dig something up,” she says.

A report compiled and released by DOC’s National Compliance Team in October 2025 revealed 75 recorded incidents of dogs attacking, killing, or harassing wildlife between 9 September 2020 and 12 August 2025.

“People sometimes plead ignorance of the rules or try and argue their pets staying in the vehicle don’t present an issue, but we’ve seen dogs being let out to have a run around and to toilet,” Marlous says.

“There is also an animal welfare issue, given how long it takes to drive to Aoraki and the amount of time people spend there,” she says.

Last December the SPCA issued a media release asking people to be more aware over summer about the risk of leaving their pets in cars during the hot December/January months.

SPCA receives hundreds of calls every summer about dogs left in hot cars – a preventable and heartbreaking welfare issue.

“You wouldn’t leave a child in a hot car,” says SPCA CEO Todd Westwood. “Please do the same for your furry family members.”

Todd says SPCA is reminding the public even on mild days, the temperature inside a car can rise rapidly. On a 21°C day, a car parked in the shade with windows down can still reach more than 31°C in just 10 minutes, and more than 40°C in 30 minutes.

“Dogs cannot cool themselves effectively in enclosed spaces. Panting alone is not enough. Parking in the shade or lowering windows does little to reduce the risk.”

Marlous says she’s surprised at what some pet owners do and it’s not just dogs. People have brought in cats and even goats into various national parks around the country wanting to walk the tracks.

She says it’s a pet owners’ responsibility to do research before taking pets onto public conservation land.

Roads running through some national parks in New Zealand are administered by Waka Kotahi/NZTA and as public roads, you are permitted to drive through them with a pet in your car. Aoraki/Mount Cook is not one of them.

“Many of the roads within Aoraki Mount Cook National Park are administered by DOC and are known as a ‘park road’. This includes most of the roads within Mount Cook Village and the road to White Horse Hill Carpark where many short walks start. These roads are part of the National Park therefore the same rules apply (no dogs in vehicles). These are all well signposted, and there is plenty of information online about where you can (and can’t) take your dog.”

Marlous Heijs says the clear message for everyone is pet owners have a key role to play in looking after nature.

“Our message is ‘leave your dog at home if you’re going naturing in a national park’. There are plenty of other places to go with your dog, but this isn’t one of them.”

Contact

For media enquiries contact:

Email: media@doc.govt.nz

MIL OSI

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/02/11/no-dog-no-more-canine-tourists-seen-in-cars-in-the-aoraki-mount-cook-national-park/

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The Secret Art of Naturing: A Beginner’s Guide

Source: NZ Department of Conservation

I’ll admit it: I’m addicted. Not to coffee (well, that too), but to naturing. It started small, a quick stroll outside, a sneaky breath of fresh air. Next thing I know, I’m knee-deep in bush tracks, whispering encouragement to kererū, and declaring “this counts as exercise” while holding a pie.

Let’s zoom in on a classic naturing move: the walk.

Walking might sound simple, but with these tips, you’ll be naturing like a pro.

Step 1: Dress the Part

The best thing about naturing is there’s no dress code. Depending on what you’re doing, you’ll see it all: people in activewear that look straight out of an ad campaign, gumboots from the farm, jandals and a sunhat at the beach. Basically, whatever you wear instantly becomes “naturing gear”. As long as it’s right for the activity and the conditions, you’re good to go.

Pro tip: pack an extra layer, because naturing weather loves a surprise.

Step 2: Embrace the Awkward Moments

Naturing isn’t all poetic bird song and Instagram sunsets. Sometimes it’s tripping over a tree root like you’re in a slapstick comedy. Sometimes it’s noticing a harmless-but-scary-looking insect crawling across your sleeve and giving you a mini heart attack. These moments? That’s peak naturing. Own it.

Step 3: Snack Like a Pro

Half the joy of naturing is snacks. The rule is simple: whatever food you bring outdoors instantly becomes gourmet. Warm squashed muesli bar at the bottom of your bag? Five-star cuisine. Banana bruised to oblivion? Still a delicacy.

Remember: calories consumed while naturing don’t count. (Probably.)

Step 4: Know When to Say “I’m Naturing”

Next time someone asks what you’re doing this weekend, skip the boring “oh, just going for a walk.” Look them straight in the eye and declare, “I’ll be naturing.” Watch as they nod respectfully, unsure what it means but too embarrassed to ask. That’s power.

Step 5: Keep Calm and Keep Naturing

Naturing isn’t a hobby. It’s a lifestyle. A calling. A spiritual obligation to trip over logs, get sand in weird places, and develop a deep appreciation for tui singing louder than your morning alarm. Once you start, you’ll never stop.

The best part? There are heaps of great spots for naturing all over Aotearoa, and the DOC website is your ultimate guide. From hidden walking tracks to iconic national parks, you can plan adventures, keep up to date on safety and weather advice, discover tips, and even learn about the native plants and wildlife you might meet along the way.

So grab your boots, pack your snacks, and keep embracing the art of naturing, whether it’s around the corner from your house or in the heart of a forest. Because life is just better when you’re always naturing.

MIL OSI

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/02/11/the-secret-art-of-naturing-a-beginners-guide/

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LNG terminal decision: Dirty, dumb and expensive – Greenpeace

Source: Greenpeace

Greenpeace is slamming the Luxon government’s announcement it will build a liquid natural gas (LNG) import terminal, calling it a dirty, dumb and expensive decision that will leave New Zealanders subsidising more climate pollution through higher electricity bills.
The decision comes despite the expected high cost and high emission intensity of imported LNG. Building the LNG terminal is expected to cost $1 billion, while the cost of imported LNG is expected to be around twice as much per gigajoule as gas from existing onshore reserves.
“Electricity consumers will pay a Luxon Tax on their electricity bills to subsidize the fossil fuel industry,” says Greenpeace Executive Director Russel Norman.
“Instead of investing in clean energy, this Government is choosing to double down on the very fossil fuels that are driving both high power prices and extreme weather events.
“Every additional tonne of fossil fuels burned makes climate change worse. This LNG decision is yet another fossil fuel subsidy from the Luxon government that will mean more floods, storms, and climate fuelled damage.
“It makes no sense to rely on imported and expensive fossil fuels when we have abundant, cheap energy sources right here at home with wind and solar.”
A report by MBIE in 2024 found that there was no need for new fossil fuels to maintain New Zealand’s energy security out to 2050 and reported that wind and solar are the cheapest sources of new electricity generation.
Meanwhile, a 2023 Concept Consulting report found onshore gas reserves alone can supply all needs out to 2050 if Methanex, the company using between one third to a half of the country’s gas to make methanol for export, were to close, which it inevitably will as gas prices rise.
“This Government has made the energy and climate crises worse by dismantling nearly every initiative to decarbonise the energy system. They ditched the Government Investment in Decarbonising Industry fund, the NZ Battery Project, and the Gas Transition Plan.
“Businesses are closing because the Government believed its own nonsense that the oil and gas exploration ban was the cause of high electricity prices. It never was and the LNG subsidy will solve nothing,” says Dr Norman.
“They even got rid of the Climate Emergency Response Fund set up to help communities recover from climate disasters. Now, they are planning to use more public money to bankroll fossil fuels for more climate emergencies.
“The Government should be investing in cheap, renewable wind and solar, backed by more storage and demand response, not exposing the country to a volatile global LNG market and locking us into more polluting fossil fuels.”

MIL OSI

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/02/09/lng-terminal-decision-dirty-dumb-and-expensive-greenpeace/

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Asia Coach Group Partners with Veteran Business Consultant Rick Tam to Launch “Business Breakthrough” Programme for Hong Kong SMEs

Source: Media Outreach

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 9 February 2026 – Asia Coach Group Limited announced today its partnership with seasoned business consultant Rick Tam to launch the “Business Breakthrough” enterprise training programme, designed to help Hong Kong SME owners strengthen their business models, improve cash flow, and enhance financing capabilities.

Rick Tam, Founder of “Business Breakthrough” Coaching Programme for Hong Kong SMEs

Challenging Business Environment Demands New Solutions

Hong Kong’s SMEs are facing unprecedented operational pressures. According to a survey by CPA Australia, 37% of small businesses in Hong Kong struggle to obtain external financing. Data from Airwallex further reveals that 96% of SMEs have experienced cash flow difficulties in the past year. With property asset values declining, banks’ insistence on property collateral for loans has left many enterprises in financial distress.

Responding to Market Needs with Systematic Business Upgrade Solutions

“Hong Kong has never lacked capital—what’s missing is the mechanism to connect businesses with it,” Rick Tam noted. The programme addresses common pain points faced by local SMEs, including declining profits, low business valuations, tight cash flow, and recruitment challenges. Built upon the four-pillar framework of “Commerce, Strategy, Breakthrough, and Structure,” the curriculum covers stabilising cash flow and enhancing financial flexibility, repositioning businesses and improving client quality, reshaping product value and expanding profit margins, as well as systematising operations and attracting investors. The programme commits to helping participants improve cash flow, increase business value, and strengthen their business models within 90 days.

Four Practical Tools for Immediate Application

Participants will acquire four core tools: the “Cash Flow Vortex System” for rapid assessment of financial status and establishing safety buffers; the “A.T.C. Client Leverage Ladder” for repositioning and enhancing client value; the “High-Value Breakthrough Method” for creating products with greater value and trust; and the “Marketing Triangle Matrix” for integrating human resources, client bases, and operational systems to plan business expansion. The programme adopts a six-step progressive model—from restructuring business models, improving profit margins, attracting capital injection, building high-performance teams, and systematising operations, to ultimately helping business owners reclaim their time and freedom.

Instructor Credentials

Programme instructor Rick Tam is a graduate of the University of Hong Kong’s Business School and currently serves as CEO of two family offices and chief consultant to several others. He holds the CFPCM Certified Financial Planner designation. Tam has founded more than nine brands spanning wealth management, securities, and food and beverage sectors, and has guided over 1,000 participants through business expansion.

As Hong Kong’s economy seeks transformation, channelling capital precisely into the real economy through the “Business Breakthrough” approach offers more than a lifeline for SMEs—it injects vital momentum into Hong Kong’s long-term economic development.

https://asiacoachgroup.com/

Hashtag: #RickTam #AsiaCoach

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

– Published and distributed with permission of Media-Outreach.com.

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/02/09/asia-coach-group-partners-with-veteran-business-consultant-rick-tam-to-launch-business-breakthrough-programme-for-hong-kong-smes/

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New Whakatipu View trail officially opens at Coronet Peak

Source: Coronet Peak

Queenstown’s easiest downhill mountain bike trail, Whakatipu View, has officially opened at Coronet Peak.

The highly anticipated 5km-long, Grade 2 trail, opened with a special community celebration on Saturday (February 7) that involved long-time Coronet Peak team member and former top Kiwi rider Erin Greene being the first to ride the trail.
 
Whakatipu View is designed as Coronet Peak’s most accessible trail to date. Built to a true Grade 2 standard, it offers a new gateway to gravity mountain biking for beginners, families and riders who want a gentle, confidence‑building introduction to downhill terrain. The trail features an overall grade of 8%, smooth bermed corners, rolling turns and expansive views across the Whakatipu basin.
 
Coronet Peak ski area manager Nigel Kerr says the opening marks a major milestone in the ski area’s long‑term vision for summer recreation. Greene, who has worked at Coronet Peak for 25 years, and Kerr, have both played pivotal roles in the development of mountain biking on the mountain for more than 10 years.
 
“Whakatipu View is exactly the kind of trail our community has been asking for,” Kerr explains. “Downhill mountain biking can feel intimidating, and having a genuine Grade 2 top‑to‑bottom option opens the sport to many more people. It’s the perfect step between the district’s river trails and riding in the alpine environment.”
 
Whakatipu View is one of the first projects to be delivered under Coronet Peak’s Department of Conservation‑approved Mountain Biking Masterplan, signed off in 2024. The masterplan enables the development of up to 15 trails of varying grades within the ski area, as well as two that will eventually extend toward the valley floor. There are currently four trails in operation for MTB over the summer months.
 
The trail was built by Queenstown-based company Dirt Design, led by Kepler Rek, whose team navigated a complex alpine work environment including spring snow and sensitive ecological areas. “Every metre of trail was shaped with a focus on minimising environmental impact and maintaining respect for the maunga,” Kerr adds.
 
More trails are in development and will continue to expand the trial network. Work on the extreme Grade 6 World Cup trail begins this month, with an expected opening at the start of next summer in December 2026. The easy Grade 3 Velvet Rolls trail will follow, scheduled as a project for next summer.
 
Coronet Peak’s mountain bike park opened for the 2025–26 season on December 6, 2025, and will operate until March 22, 2026. Riders access the trails via the Coronet Express chairlift, with bike carriers fitted for summer operations. For more information, visit www.coronetpeak.co.nz/summer/mountain-biking/ .

MIL OSI

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/02/09/new-whakatipu-view-trail-officially-opens-at-coronet-peak/

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GMA Capital Partners Joins Hong Kong’s Business Environment Council

Source: Media Outreach

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 9 February 2026 – GMA Capital Partners has joined the Business Environment Council (BEC), reflecting the firm’s engagement with Hong Kong’s business and sustainability ecosystem and its interest in constructive dialogue on environmental and policy developments affecting the real economy.

Headquartered in Singapore, GMA Capital Partners is a principal investment firm focused on long-term investments, structured capital solutions, and cross-border partnerships across real-economy sectors, including infrastructure, energy transition, logistics, and strategic industrial markets. Membership in BEC provides a platform for engagement with corporates, policymakers, and industry participants on environmental considerations relevant to business operations and long-term asset resilience in Hong Kong and the region.

Established in 1992, BEC is an independent, business-led organisation that promotes environmental excellence through policy advocacy, thought leadership, and knowledge sharing. Its membership comprises multinational companies, listed entities, SMEs, startups, and non-governmental organisations across a broad range of industries.

Chasen Nevett, Managing Partner of GMA Capital Partners, said:

“Joining the Business Environment Council provides a constructive platform to engage with Hong Kong’s business community on practical environmental and sustainability considerations. Our focus remains on disciplined capital allocation into real-economy assets, where regulatory context, governance, and long-term environmental factors increasingly shape commercial outcomes.”

GMA Capital Partners’ approach to sustainability emphasises commercial discipline, transparency, and the consideration of transition-related risks and opportunities relevant to long-term asset performance. The firm looks forward to engaging with BEC initiatives and contributing to dialogue on environmental policy and sustainable business practices in Hong Kong and across the region.

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

– Published and distributed with permission of Media-Outreach.com.

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/02/09/gma-capital-partners-joins-hong-kongs-business-environment-council/

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Mautohe Cathedral Cove closed due to rain, weather warnings

Source: NZ Department of Conservation

Date:  21 January 2026

MetService has issued a Red Heavy Rain Warning for Coromandel in response to the weather system moving down the northern half of the North Island, and is expected to dump up to 290 mm of rain on the peninsula today alone. The MetService’s rain warning is paired with a strong wind watch due to possible gales in exposed places.

DOC Coromandel Operations Manager Nick Kelly says it’s prudent to close tracks to Mautohe Cathedral Cove given the weather system’s impact – which now includes flooding across some parts of the district and its roading network.

“DOC’s priority for this site continues to be the safety of visitors and managing visitor risk. Poor weather exacerbates the landslide and rockfall risks at Mautohe Cathedral Cove.

“We strongly discourage people from visiting the cove while this weather system moves – the conditions make it unsafe.

“We do not want people getting hurt.”

Nick says the Mautohe Cathedral Cove closure is now in effect and will be in place until further notice. Decisions about whether it is safe to reopen tracks to the beach will be made once staff undertake site inspections and weather forecasts are assessed.

DOC will lift an alert on the Mautohe Cathedral Cove Track web page once it reopens.

Sea swells are expected to increase with the weather system and anyone planning to visit Mautohe Cathedral Cove by boat should check sea conditions first and consider the risks.

Mautohe Cathedral Cove is one of Coromandel and New Zealand’s most picturesque and iconic coastal locations, famous for its rock arch. However, land around the cove is known to be potentially unstable with a noted geological and landslide risk after heavy rain events.

DOC’s Trigger Action Response Plan for Mautohe Cathedral Cove guides decision-making for track closures at the site.

Contact

For media enquiries contact:

Email: media@doc.govt.nz

MIL OSI

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/01/21/mautohe-cathedral-cove-closed-due-to-rain-weather-warnings/