DOC and RealNZ Partnership: What It Means for Groups

Short answer: On 23 October 2026 the Department of Conservation and RealNZ announced a three-year National Programme Partnership for conservation. RealNZ runs Milford Sound and Doubtful Sound cruises, the TSS Earnslaw and the Te Anau Glow Worm Caves. Explera DMC New Zealand can include these excursions in group programmes and explain the conservation work behind them.

This briefing explains the DOC and RealNZ partnership for travel agents and tour operators who sell Fiordland and Queenstown, and for clients who ask how their excursions support conservation.

What did DOC and RealNZ announce?

Partnership. A three-year National Programme Partnership to support conservation and joint work on New Zealand's natural heritage.
Kiwi return. This year RealNZ's fundraising went to the planned return of kiwi pukupuku, the little spotted kiwi, from Kāpiti Island to Ao-Ata-Te-Pō / Cooper Island in Fiordland. RealNZ says the move is due in 2028.
Funding. RealNZ raised more than NZ$300,000 for that project through its annual Night for Nature event and its 1% for Conservation initiative on online bookings.
Predator control. RealNZ has led predator control on Cooper Island for a decade under a Community Agreement with DOC, and that work continues.
Separate from approvals. DOC says the partnership does not affect its decisions on concessions or other approvals on public conservation land.

Lake Marian below the mountains of Fiordland

Which excursions does RealNZ run?

DOC's release lists RealNZ's operations, several of which feature in group programmes:

Fiordland. Milford Sound and Doubtful Sound cruises, the Te Anau Glow Worm Caves and excursions in Southern Fiordland.
Queenstown. The TSS Earnslaw, Walter Peak Farm, the Spirit of Queenstown and Queenstown Rafting.
Snow. Cardrona Alpine Resort and Treble Cone Ski Area.
Stewart Island. Excursions on Rakiura / Stewart Island.

What does it mean for agents?

Client questions. Clients may ask how a trip supports conservation. The kiwi pukupuku project and Cooper Island predator control are documented examples agents can share.
No change to bookings. The announcement does not change how excursions are booked or priced. We confirm current departures and rates at quotation.
Plain claims. Describe the work as RealNZ's and DOC's, not as something the client's tour does. Explera DMC New Zealand is a Tiaki Promise signatory.

A lake shore below forested hills and a waterfall

How Explera DMC New Zealand can help

We plan cruises and water experiences and wildlife and nature experiences for travel agents and tour operators. See our Doubtful Sound briefing, our Te Anau briefing and our Milford Sound access briefing.

FAQ

What is the DOC and RealNZ partnership? A three-year National Programme Partnership for conservation, announced on 23 October 2026.

Which kiwi project did RealNZ fund? The return of kiwi pukupuku, the little spotted kiwi, from Kāpiti Island to Ao-Ata-Te-Pō / Cooper Island. RealNZ says the move is due in 2028.

How much did RealNZ raise for the project? More than NZ$300,000, through its Night for Nature event and its 1% for Conservation initiative on online bookings.

Does the partnership change excursion bookings? No. We confirm current departures and rates at quotation.

Which RealNZ excursions suit groups? Milford Sound and Doubtful Sound cruises, the TSS Earnslaw and Walter Peak Farm, and the Te Anau Glow Worm Caves, among others.