© Shutterstock / underwatercam.tv / WWF

Help our marine turtles

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What we do

  • © Simon Lorenz /WWF-HK

    Looking after our Ocean

    Restoring ocean health for the benefit of people and nature

    Aotearoa New Zealand has a diverse range of coastal and marine environments, habitats, and species. We want to make sure it stays that way.

    We advocate for more sustainable fisheries, halting the decline of marine biodiversity, the creation of more marine protected areas, putting nature at the heart of climate action, and promoting a healthy ocean.

    Find out more
  • © Bernard Spragg

    Looking after species

    Protecting taonga species and their habitats.

    In New Zealand, 94% of our reptile species, 82% of bird species, 80% of bat species, 76% of freshwater fish species, 22% of marine mammal species and 46% of vascular plant species are either facing extinction or are at risk of being threatened with extinction.

    We campaign for the protection of native species and their habitats. We don’t want to lose any more species than we already have.

    Find out more
  • © Shutterstock /Soonthorn Wongsaita /WWF

    Climate Change Action

    The Climate Crisis is having a dramatic impact on our natural environment.

    But there are things we can do to limit warming that can also benefit lives, livelihoods and nature.

    We’re campaigning for ambitious policies that favour climate-resilient, net-zero development, energy efficiency, and clean renewable energy for all and helping people and nature adapt to the changes caused by climate change that are no longer avoidable.

    Find out more
  • © Pūkaha National Wildlife Centre

    Conservation and Education

    Supporting community conservation efforts and environmental education

    We want to inspire and enable New Zealanders to care for their habitats and species as part of a healthier society and economy. To help Kiwis rise to the global challenge of how to live sustainably today, without compromising quality of life for future generations.

    We do this by providing resources and funding to community-led conservation groups and education programmes.

    Find out more

Take Action

Red billed gull and chicks
© Bernard Spragg

Help our red-billed gulls

Imagine a summer without seagulls. If we don't act now, we won't have to imagine it. Your donation can help protect them.

Donate now
Healthy Kelp Forest
© naturepl.com / Pascal Kobeh /WWF

Our Moana, Our Future

Despite our ocean territory being 15 times larger than our landmass, New Zealand currently has less that one percent of its ocean areas protected. Help get 30% of our ocean protected by 2030.

Sign the petition
Bryde's Whale
© naturepl.com / Doug Perrine / WWF

Protect the Hauraki Gulf

The future of the Hauraki Gulf / Tīkapa Moana is at a critical crossroads. Join us in urging the Prime Minister to do the right thing. 

Send an email
Penguins eCard
© Chris Johnson / WWF-Australia

Send a wildlife eCard

Celebrate a loved ones' birthday and other special occasions by making a donation on their behalf and sending a very cute eCard to let them know.

Send an eCard
© Richard Barrett / WWF-UK

Who we are

WWF-New Zealand is part of the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) International Network, the world’s largest independent conservation organisation.

We have been working in Aotearoa New Zealand since 1975, on a mission to stop the degradation of the planet's natural environment and to build a future in which people live in harmony with nature.  

Find out more about who we are and where we came from.

Find out more

Latest news

Snorkelling around Goat Island.
Success Story

Rangatahi dive into ocean conservation in Auckland

A school holiday programme in Tāmaki Makaurau/Auckland is inspiring the next generation of ocean conservationists.
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A weeding volunteer for Project Island Song.
Success Story

Weedbusters hit all the right notes in Bay of Islands

Read about the restoration of the main islands of Ipipiri / the eastern Bay of Islands with the help of Project Island Song.
Read more
Tuna
Press Release

Ill-conceived ‘reforms’ could undermine NZ's commercial fisheries

Government proposals to loosen fisheries rules could ultimately ‘shoot the industry in the foot’ by undermining the resilience and sustainability of New Zealand’s commercial fisheries and marine ecosystems.
Read more
Karioi project.
Success Story

The matuku-hūrepo’s call: Inspiring Action Through Education

Find out about the Karioi Project's mission to inspire the next generation of environmental leaders and kaitiaki and restore the biodiversity of Whāingaroa/Raglan.
Read more
Image of a vehicle in Stockton Mine
Press Release

Government’s mining plans a ‘bizarre nostalgia trip’

The Government is chasing economic growth in all the wrong places with its plans to mine public conservation land, says WWF-New Zealand.
Read more
Image of a windfarm at Makara
Press Release

WWF slams ‘embarrassingly weak’ new climate target

New Zealand's new international climate target lacks ambition and sends all the wrong signals to global trading partners.
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fur seal swimming under water
Press Release

Kiwis ‘frustrated’ at Government’s failure to protect ocean life

A new survey commissioned by WWF-New Zealand reveals that 81% of New Zealanders think Marine Protected Areas in Aotearoa should be expanded.
Read more
Predator control on Stewart Island.
Success Story

Stewart Island group creating open sanctuary for native wildlife

A Rakiura/Stewart Island conservation group is bringing the community together to create a sanctuary for native species to thrive.
Read more
Dotterel
Success Story

2024/2025 Conservation Grants

Eighteen community conservation and environmental education projects have received funding.
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Climate march
Press Release

Government's final climate plan ‘woefully inadequate’

The Government’s second Emissions Reduction Plan is just ‘95 pages of magical thinking’ and ‘woefully inadequate’, says WWF-New Zealand.
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Hoiho chicks
Success Story

Not winging it: Looking after NZ's Bird of the Year

Yellow-Eyed Penguin Trust volunteers are working to protect the endangered hoiho and boost this rare penguin's numbers.
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Drone
Success Story

Coromandel group use drones to survey threatened wetland bird population

A Coromandel conservation group has deployed thermal-imaging drones to survey populations of the threatened wetland bird matuku-hūrepo /Australasian bittern.
Read more
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