National Parks
New Zealand has 13 national parks, the newest being Rakiura NP, established in 2002, covering 85% of the land area of Stewart Island/Rakiura.
The national parks are overseen by the Department of Conservation (DoC), who, along with other public land, oversee nearly 30% of the country’s total land area.
You’ll recognise DoC stewardship of land by easy-to-spot green and yellow signs.
The national parks are places of great natural beauty and boast excellent hiking and walking tracks.