We explore how cities worldwide are weaving nature back into urban spaces in our cover story. From Singapore's vertical forests to Copenhagen's edible streets, decision-makers are using innovative ways to support biodiversity and human wellbeing. As writer Chris Fitch says: "Every building is potential habitat; every city can choose nature."
In an exclusive interview, best-selling writer Jenny Pattrick OBE backs Forest & Bird's campaign to save Denniston from opencast coal mining. The unique Denniston Plateau, with its Gondwana-era ecosystems, bonsai forests, and rare species like West Coast green gecko and Avatar moths, faces destruction from Bathurst Resources' massive 25-year coal mining proposal.
Off Taranaki's coast, hidden treasures lie beneath the waves at Pātea Shoals. Dr Seabourne Rust explains how colourful bryozoan and sponge gardens support incredible marine biodiversity, but experimental seabed mining by Trans-Tasman Resources threatens this internationally significant marine mammal area.
Hope emerges for pukunui southern New Zealand dotterels on Rakiura Stewart Island, where community fundraising and the Department of Conservation's predator control have achieved the first population increase since 2020. Meanwhile, Forest & Bird volunteers from South Otago are protecting precious mohua yellowhead populations ahead of a predicted beech mast event.
We celebrate kārearea New Zealand falcon, our fierce Bird of the Year 2025 winner. Musicians Delaney Davidson and Troy Kingi have created an original waiata honouring this remarkable raptor in our new Waiata Manu series.
Plus: pekapeka bat protectors in Marlborough, Westland petrel research, healing through nature, Royal Cam chick Kaewa's journey, an exclusive short story by David Hill, hidden Waikato lakes, celebrating ongaonga, watching kōtare, remembering Bill Hammond's Heaphy artwork, and our annual conservation highlights.
Join Forest & Bird today and help protect Aotearoa's precious wildlife and wild places – see forestandbird.org.nz/joinus. Membership includes an annual subscription to Forest & Bird magazine.