Royal Forest and Bird Protection Society of New Zealand
New Zealand’s long-established environmental organization dedicated to protecting native species, ecosystems, forests, rivers, and other natural places.
Last updated August 26, 2026
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Overview
Forest & Bird, formally the Royal Forest and Bird Protection Society of New Zealand and also known by the Māori name Te Reo o te Taiao, is a nationwide environmental organization and charity focused on the protection and restoration of New Zealand’s indigenous flora, fauna, ecosystems, and wild places. Its work combines community conservation, scientific and policy research, public education, campaigning, legal advocacy, and political lobbying. The organization is especially associated with the defense of native forests, threatened birds, rivers, marine environments, and protected conservation land. The society was established in 1923 as the Native Bird Protection Society after Val Sanderson became concerned about the poor protection of wildlife on Kāpiti Island. Following his return from the First World War, Sanderson campaigned against the damage caused by unfenced livestock and succeeded in having the island re-established as a wildlife reserve. A public meeting in March 1923 led to the creation of the society, with Sir Thomas Mackenzie serving as its first president. The organization broadened its concerns beyond bird protection and was renamed the Forest and Bird Protection Society of New Zealand in 1935. Sanderson later served as president and promoted wider attention to native trees, soil erosion, land management, and habitat protection. Forest & Bird has played a prominent role in several of New Zealand’s major conservation debates. During the 1970s it opposed proposals to clear large areas of indigenous South Island beech forest and helped launch the Maruia Declaration with the Beech Forest Action Committee in 1975. The declaration called for an end to native-forest logging and stronger legal recognition of indigenous forests. The organization subsequently campaigned on the protection of Lake Manapōuri, high-country landscapes, conservation areas threatened by mining, threatened rivers, marine fisheries, the New Zealand sea lion, and the Mōkihinui River. Its advocacy has often addressed resource-management law and the environmental effects of dams, irrigation, mining, forestry, and commercial fishing. The organization operates through a network of 44 volunteer-led branches in urban and rural communities across New Zealand, supported by professional staff and national offices. Branches undertake local restoration, predator control, habitat work, public outreach, and advocacy, while the national organization works on policy, litigation, conservation campaigns, and public mobilization. Forest & Bird also publishes the quarterly Forest & Bird magazine and the children’s quarterly publication Wild Things. Since 2005, its public Bird of the Year poll has used popular participation to raise awareness of native and threatened species. The organization has also produced educational and legal materials, including a comprehensive guide to New Zealand environmental law. In 2022, Nicola Toki became chief executive, succeeding Kevin Hague. Forest & Bird marked its centenary in 2023, a milestone documented in the conservation history Force of Nature: Te Aumangea o te Ao Tūroa: A Conservation History of Forest & Bird 1923–2023. It remains an active national advocacy organization whose public profile derives from combining grassroots conservation activity with high-profile interventions in environmental policy.
History
Forest & Bird originated in concern over the inadequate protection of New Zealand’s native wildlife. In the early 1920s, Val Sanderson became particularly alarmed by the condition of Kāpiti Island, where livestock were damaging a wildlife reserve. His campaign helped secure renewed reserve status for the island. A public meeting in March 1923 then established the Native Bird Protection Society, with Sir Thomas Mackenzie as its first president. The society initially concentrated on native birds and wildlife protection, but its scope expanded steadily. In 1935 it adopted the name Forest and Bird Protection Society of New Zealand, reflecting a broader concern with indigenous forests, land management, and habitat. Sanderson became president in 1933 and remained in that position until his death in 1945. Under this wider conservation approach, the organization addressed issues including soil erosion, the use of native trees for stabilizing land, and the protection of forested landscapes. For much of the twentieth century Forest & Bird was New Zealand’s principal national environmental organization. Its role became especially prominent during the environmental debates of the 1970s. Government proposals to harvest extensive areas of South Island lowland beech forest, with some cleared land intended for exotic plantation forestry, generated a major conservation response. On 4 July 1975, Forest & Bird and the Beech Forest Action Committee launched the Maruia Declaration, a public petition calling for an end to native-forest logging and formal legal protection for native forests. The declaration was presented to the government in 1977. The organization continued to intervene in disputes involving major infrastructure, land-use, and extractive proposals. Its campaigns covered the protection of Lake Manapōuri, native forests, the South Island high country, conservation land threatened by mining, rivers facing dam proposals, marine ecosystems, and threatened animals such as the New Zealand sea lion. From 2008 to 2012, it successfully opposed plans to dam the Mōkihinui River. It also opposed the Escarpment Mine Project on the Denniston Plateau and large-scale irrigation proposals in the Mackenzie Basin. Forest & Bird’s marine work includes the Best Fish Guide, first published in 2004. The guide evaluated commercial fisheries according to their contribution to a healthy marine environment and was intended to inform consumers and influence fishing practices. Other continuing areas of work have included living rivers, terrestrial biodiversity, ecological restoration, and the protection of iconic natural landscapes. The organization’s public engagement expanded through publications and participatory campaigns. It publishes the quarterly Forest & Bird magazine, a major New Zealand natural-history and conservation publication, and the children’s magazine Wild Things. Its Bird of the Year poll, held annually since 2005, has become a prominent public-awareness event featuring native species selected by public vote. Forest & Bird has also published substantial environmental-law material, including a handbook explaining New Zealand’s environmental law and policy framework. Forest & Bird is structured around 44 branches across New Zealand. These branches are volunteer-led and work on local conservation, restoration, education, and advocacy, while staff in Auckland, Christchurch, Wellington, and elsewhere support national policy and campaign activity. In 2022 Nicola Toki took over as chief executive from Kevin Hague. The organization’s centenary in 2023 was accompanied by a published history covering its first hundred years. Forest & Bird remains an active charity and advocacy group focused on preserving and restoring New Zealand’s indigenous biodiversity and natural ecosystems.
- 2023
Centenary of Forest & Bird
[1]The organization reached its hundredth year and published a dedicated history of its conservation work.
- 2022
Nicola Toki becomes chief executive
[1]Nicola Toki succeeded Kevin Hague as the organization’s chief executive.
- 2012
Mōkihinui River dam opposition succeeds
[1]After a sustained campaign from 2008 to 2012, proposals to dam the Mōkihinui River were successfully opposed.
- 2005
Bird of the Year established
[1]The annual public wildlife poll was introduced as a tool for conservation awareness and engagement.
- 2004
Best Fish Guide introduced
[1]Forest & Bird began publishing a guide assessing the ecological effects of commercial fisheries.
- 1977
Maruia Declaration submitted
[1]The petition demanding stronger protection for indigenous forests was submitted to the New Zealand Government.
- 1975
Maruia Declaration launched
[1]Forest & Bird and the Beech Forest Action Committee began a national petition against native-forest logging.
- 1935
Organization renamed Forest and Bird Protection Society
[1]The society adopted a name reflecting its expanding interest in forest conservation and wider environmental protection.
- 1923
Native Bird Protection Society founded
[1]A public meeting in March established the organization that later became Forest & Bird.
- 1921
Val Sanderson campaigns for Kāpiti Island
[1]After returning from the First World War, Val Sanderson challenged the inadequate management of Kāpiti Island and helped secure its renewed designation as a wildlife reserve.
Products and positioning
A prominent, nationwide New Zealand conservation organization that combines volunteer-led local projects with national campaigning, public education, scientific analysis, and advocacy for stronger protection of indigenous ecosystems.
Conservation publication
Forest & Bird magazine
A quarterly natural-history and conservation magazine covering New Zealand’s native species, ecosystems, environmental threats, restoration work, and conservation policy. It serves both as a member publication and as a public education platform.
Children’s conservation publication
Wild Things
A quarterly publication for children that introduces younger readers to New Zealand wildlife, habitats, conservation issues, and practical ways to engage with nature.
Marine conservation guide · 2004
Best Fish Guide
A seafood and fisheries assessment guide that rates commercial fisheries according to their effects on marine ecosystems and the prospects for maintaining healthy ocean environments.
Public conservation campaign · 2005
Bird of the Year
An annual public vote designed to generate attention for New Zealand’s native birds and other distinctive wildlife. The campaign turns species conservation into a widely accessible public-engagement event.
Environmental law reference · 2004
Handbook of Environmental Law
A comprehensive reference work on New Zealand environmental law published by the Royal Forest and Bird Protection Society of New Zealand, supporting public understanding of the legal framework governing environmental protection.
Marketing campaigns
- 2021Te Ao Mārama fundraising partnership
New Zealand · International digital audience
Proceeds from Lorde’s Te Ao Mārama EP were donated to Forest & Bird and the Te Hua Kawariki Charitable Trust.
Outcome. The donation provided charitable support for conservation-related work.
- 2011Denniston Plateau Escarpment Mine opposition
New Zealand
Forest & Bird opposed the proposed Escarpment Mine Project on the Denniston Plateau, citing the ecological value of the conservation landscape.
- 2009Conservation land mining campaign
New Zealand
The organization campaigned against mining in New Zealand conservation areas and highlighted the ecological importance of protected land.
- 2009Iconic rivers protection campaign
New Zealand
Forest & Bird opposed proposals that could dam or substantially alter nationally important rivers.
- 2009Mackenzie Basin irrigation opposition
New Zealand
Between 2009 and 2010, the organization opposed large-scale irrigation schemes in the Mackenzie Basin because of their potential effects on high-country ecosystems.
- 2008Mōkihinui River campaign
New Zealand
Forest & Bird opposed plans to dam the Mōkihinui River and advocated retaining the river’s natural ecological and landscape values.
Outcome. The opposition campaign was successful by 2012.
- 2006New Zealand sea lion protection
New Zealand
Forest & Bird petitioned for stronger protection of the New Zealand sea lion, a threatened native marine mammal.
- 2004Best Fish Guide
New Zealand
The organization began publishing ecological assessments of commercial fisheries to encourage more sustainable seafood choices and fisheries management.
- 1975Maruia Declaration
New Zealand
A public petition launched with the Beech Forest Action Committee to oppose logging of indigenous forests and seek stronger legal recognition for native forests.
Outcome. The declaration was submitted to the government in 1977 and became an important national expression of opposition to native-forest clearance.
- 1970Lake Manapōuri protection
New Zealand
Forest & Bird participated in the broader conservation movement opposing environmental damage associated with proposals affecting Lake Manapōuri.
Brand decisions
2010
Escalate opposition to proposed mining access on conservation landStrategyBackground
Forest & Bird warned that a government proposal could remove approximately 7,058 hectares of protected land from Schedule 4 of the Crown Minerals Act, potentially allowing mining in areas including parts of the Coromandel Peninsula, Great Barrier Island, and Paparoa National Park.
Action taken
The organization publicized the proposal, mobilized public opposition, and supported protest and submission activity.
Aftermath
After a large public march and strong opposition in tens of thousands of submissions, the government announced that the conservation land would not be removed from Schedule 4 for mining.
2008
Maintain opposition to the Mōkihinui River damStrategyBackground
A proposal to dam the Mōkihinui River threatened to alter a significant natural river system and its surrounding landscape.
Action taken
Forest & Bird pursued sustained public and conservation advocacy against the dam proposal.
Aftermath
The campaign succeeded in opposing the dam by 2012.
2004
Introduce the Best Fish GuideOtherBackground
Commercial fishing can place pressure on marine species and ecosystems, while consumers and policymakers may lack accessible comparisons of fishery impacts.
Action taken
Forest & Bird created a guide rating 62 commercial fisheries according to their contribution to a healthy marine environment.
Aftermath
The guide became a recurring public-facing tool for marine conservation and sustainable seafood advocacy.
Recent events
- 2023
Forest & Bird marks its centenary[1]
Other
The organization’s first century of conservation work was documented in a dedicated history of Forest & Bird from 1923 to 2023.
- 2022
Nicola Toki becomes chief executive[1]
Leadership change
Nicola Toki succeeded Kevin Hague as chief executive of Forest & Bird.
- 2010
Public opposition blocks proposed mining access on protected conservation land[1]
Campaign · Regulation
Forest & Bird publicized plans to remove thousands of hectares from Schedule 4 protection under the Crown Minerals Act. Following a large public protest and extensive opposition in submissions, the government abandoned the proposal.
- 2005
Forest & Bird begins the Bird of the Year poll[1]
Campaign · Other
The organization established an annual public vote intended to raise awareness of New Zealand’s native and threatened birds and other distinctive wildlife.
- 2004
Forest & Bird publishes the Best Fish Guide[1]
Campaign · Other
The guide assessed commercial fisheries according to their effects on marine ecosystems and promoted more sustainable seafood choices.
- 1975
Forest & Bird launches the Maruia Declaration campaign[1]
Campaign · Other
Forest & Bird and the Beech Forest Action Committee began a public petition opposing native-forest logging and seeking legal recognition for indigenous forests.
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