Conservation and Education
© Raymond Buckmaster / Pukorokoro Miranda Naturalists' Trust

Conservation and Education

Supporting community conservation and environmental education

WWF-New Zealand wants 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 developing partnerships with local councils, iwi, communities and government agencies to increase the effectiveness of conservation at a grass roots level. And providing resources and funding to community-led conservation groups and schools.

© Taranaki Kiwi Trust

Community Conservation Funding

WWF, in partnership with the Tindall Foundation, supports projects that are led by and engage local communities to conserve and restore Aotearoa New Zealand's natural environments and native species.

Many supported initiatives involve youth through hands-on learning opportunities where they can build skills and develop deeper connections with the environment.

Projects we support not only bring people together for a shared conservation goal, but also inspire ongoing environmental action among our local communities.

Our biodiversity is precious, but it is in trouble. The projects we support have a strong focus on protecting our most threatened habitats and species. Together we can have a positive impact on nature.

Find Out More
© Young Ocean Explorers

Environmental Education

To create long term positive change for our environment, it is important to foster changes in our behaviour.

Environmental education is a critical tool to achieve long lasting social change.

WWF-New Zealand supports environmental education in a number of ways.

Teaching the younger generations about the environment, we are helping equip the next generation with the knowledge and values needed to protect the planet.

Providing information, activities and resources to support environment-focused teaching and learning.

Supporting the Mingma Norbu Sherpa Memorial Scholarship that provides financial assistance to students from remote regions of Nepal to study at Lincoln University.

Scholarship information
Resources

Conservation and Education Stories

Read about some of the community conservation and education projects WWF-New Zealand is supporting around the country.

A tuatara at Brook Waimārama Sanctuary.
Success Story

Protecting the guardians of Aotearoa’s native forests

Across the country - from the predator-proof hills of Whakatū Nelson to the forested corners of the Wairarapa - passionate locals, iwi, and volunteers are rallying together to protect some of our most precious (and sometimes elusive) native species.
Read more
School children working on installation
Success Story

Inspiring the next generation of kaitiaki

Kiwi releases, art installations, and growing microgreens are just some of the activities that rangatahi are involved in through local conservation groups.
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Whio/blue duck in remote area of the West Coast of the South Island.
Success Story

Predator-free groups make way for native birds to thrive again in remote areas

Conservation groups are joining forces in remote parts of the country to bolster predator free efforts and protect taonga species such as the black robin and whio/blue duck.
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The Awhi Awa project.
Success Story

Healing Aotearoa’s Waterways, One Stream at a Time

A community movement is growing across Aotearoa to restore local waterways and help our endangered freshwater fish species thrive once again.
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Little penguins chicks at Waiheke's Native Bird Rescue.
Success Story

Whakarauora Kororā: Protecting our precious little penguins

The Whakarauora Kororā project team rehabilitates little penguins on Waiheke before releasing these taonga birds back into the wild.
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Volunteer work on Motihue Island.
Success Story

Wildlife thriving on pest-free oasis in Hauraki Gulf

Native species are thriving on a pest-free island oasis in the Hauraki Gulf thanks to 25 years of conservation work.
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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.
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Karioi project.
Success Story

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
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.
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Dotterel
Success Story

2024/2025 Conservation Grants

Eighteen community conservation and environmental education projects have received funding.
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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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