Auckland Council's conservation role

Discover how Auckland Council is working to protect and restore our region’s natural environment.

What we do

Auckland Council works alongside mana whenua, conservation partners and the community to:

  • manages and protect our natural environment
  • restore ecosystems
  • protect and improve biodiversity in the Auckland region.

We have a mandate to do this work under several pieces of legislation, which includes the:

Areas covered by our work

Our work cover many areas in Auckland, including:

  • Regional and local parks – We protect and restore parks, reserves and green spaces. We also manage diverse habitats and native species across the region’s parks.
  • Public land we own, manage and maintain - This includes reserves, roads and designated areas for utilities. We also work closely with the Department of Conservation to protect public land they are responsible for.
  • Private land – We support landowners with conservation efforts.
  • Islands – We help maintain the pest-free islands in the Hauraki Gulf / Tīkapa Moana.
  • Marine and freshwater environments – We restore coastal and inland waterways.
  • Biodiversity focus areas - we prioritise our efforts in areas identified as ecologically significant.

There are environmental plans and strategies that guide our work.

How we work

Auckland Council manages and protects indigenous ecosystems and species with a strategic, science-based approach. We use this approach in our work to:

  • manage pest animals and plants and their pathways (for example, pest free Hauraki Gulf islands)
  • prevent the spread of plant pathogens (for example, kauri dieback disease and myrtle rust)
  • protect populations of native plants and animals
  • protect marine and freshwater habitats
  • manage priority native habitats and restore ecosystems
  • carry out monitoring, surveillance and threat responses
  • provide a broad range of advice, support, resources, tools and funding to expand community conservation action
  • support the private sector and business to connect with conservation activities.

Our funding

We receive funds from Auckland ratepayers, including the Natural Environment Targeted Rate (NETR). 

Te Tiriti o Waitangi / The Treaty of Waitangi

Te Tiriti o Waitangi / The Treaty of Waitangi guides the partnership between Te Kaunihera o Tāmaki Makaurau / Auckland Council and the mana whenua of region.

Strong positive relationships based on understanding and mutual respect help strengthen Auckland's bicultural foundation

Learn more about Auckland and te Tiriti o Waitangi/the Treaty of Waitangi and our Kaupapa Māori.

Mana whenua as kaitiaki

The following Te Tiriti principles support mana whenua of the region as kaitiaki:

•    Rangatiratanga – the duty to recognise Māori rights of independence, autonomy and self-determination
•    Partnership – mutual good faith and reasonableness are the core of te Tiriti partnership
•    Active protection of Māori rights and interests including taonga and taonga species

Learn more about the 19 mana whenua of the region and engaging with mana whenua.

Supporting conservation in the community

Auckland Council supports groups, organisations and individuals interested in or engaged in conservation. These community-led conservation efforts are an important contributor to our collective vision of a region where nature is thriving and treasured by all.

Learn about the conservation support we offer.