Our Taupō office is closed Friday, 17 January and will reopen on Monday, 20 January 2025. To report air or water pollution, unsafe water activities in or on a river, lake or harbour, or make a general enquiry or information request during this time, we can be contacted 24/7 on 0800 800 401.

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  1. Environment »
  2. Biodiversity

Many of our native plants and animals are unique to New Zealand - some are found only in our region. Some are already extinct and many others are under threat from habitat loss and degradation, pests and disease. Waikato Regional Council regularly monitors and reports on our region's coastal, freshwater and terrestrial (growing on the land and in the ground) biodiversity.

Find out more about our biodiversity monitoring programmes

Our biodiversity

Find out about the diverse history of native vegetation and species in the Waikato.

Forest fragments

Learn more about threats to these patches of native forest.

Funding and scholarships

Find out about the funding, scholarships and grants on offer throughout the Waikato region for biodiversity efforts.

Hamilton Halo

The Hamilton Halo project aims to bring native birds, such as tūī and bellbirds, back into Hamilton city.

Indigenous biodiversity programme

Find out more about this biodiversity programme restoring indigenous biodiversity and connecting communities in the Waikato.

Kahikatea Green Wheel

If you are putting time and money into protecting and enhancing your kahikatea forest patch, it’s worth checking on how it’s doing to make sure your efforts are paying off.

Karst ecosystems

Karst landscapes are formed by chemical dissolution of bedrock by natural water. Their unique ecosystems, such as caves and sinkholes, can be habit for plants and animals found nowhere else.

Planting guides

Use our guides to help you select and plant native trees and shrubs that suit your local area and climate.

Project Echo

Find out more about Project Echo, our initiative to raise awareness of long-tailed bats (Chalinolobus tubercultus).

Stream and river life

Find out more about the native fish, kōura, shrimps and invertebrates found in Waikato waterways.

Scrub vegetation

Who cares about scrub? Find out more about why scrub is a valuable resource and what you can do to look after it.

Threats to native plants and animals

Find out about how we're working to protect and enhance our remaining natural habitats, native animals and native plants.

Use and harvest

For Māori, native plants and animals are taonga (treasured). They are treasured not just for their usefulness, but for the values they represent.

The Willis report

The 2014 Willis report outlines the roles and responsibilities of regional councils towards biodiversity.