On Saturday 15th August, 2026, hundreds of people across Aotearoa came together in parks, on riverbanks, in the mountains and on beaches in a national day of action for conservation land, to send a clear message to the Government: bin the bill.
Nearly 40 protests took place across the country as part of a nationwide day of action against the Government’s Conservation Amendment Bill.
From Invercargill and Wānaka to Northland and Aotea/Great Barrier Island, from small towns on the east and west coasts to our biggest cities, communities came together to stand up for the wild places they love. On beaches, mountain tops, beside rivers and in conservation areas.
Some held rallies. Others walked together, made banners, heard from local speakers or gathered for a photo in places they wanted to protect.
Kaikōura: Bin the Bill
In the small coastal town of Kaikōura, locals gathered on the banks of the Hāpuku River. They built a giant BIN THE BILL banner out of driftwood. People of all ages turned up to help haul driftwood into place, creating a message big enough to be seen from the air. It was a simple message from a small community: public conservation land should be protected, not exploited.
Ōtautahi: Stand for the land at Awaroa/Godley Head
In Ōtautahi Christchurch, people weren’t going to let terrible weather stop them. A big crowd made their way to Awaroa/Godley Head, where they heard speeches and stood together for conservation. They created a giant human banner calling on the Government to keep its HANDS OFF CONSERVATION LAND.
Tāmaki Makaurau: Conservation land going, going…
In Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland, protesters gathered for a satirical auction of public conservation land, highlighting what could be at stake if conservation law is rewritten to prioritise commercial exploitation. Others swam out in the Hauraki Gulf with a banner and a kayak to highlight the risk to Rangitoto Island.
Generations have fought for these places
Public conservation land exists today because century after century, generation after generation people have cared for and protected these places. Communities have repeatedly stood up against the destruction of forests, rivers, mountains and coastlines of the conservation estate..
The National Day of Action showed that people across Aotearoa are ready to do that again.
And that public pressure is already having an impact. The Government has been forced to walk back some of the most controversial parts of the Conservation Amendment Bill following widespread opposition. But the Bill still threatens to fundamentally change the purpose of conservation law and enable commercial exploitation of public conservation land.
So we’re not stopping here.
Next stop: the March for Nature
On Saturday 19 September, people from across Aotearoa will come together again — this time in Auckland for a massive March for Nature.
Because the Conservation Amendment Bill isn’t happening in isolation. It is part of a much wider attack on environmental protections, from expanding mining and oil and gas exploration to weakening protections for our rivers, forests, oceans and native wildlife.
This is our chance to stand together and say: enough.
We have a responsibility to care for and protect the wild places of Aotearoa, for the wildlife that depends on them and for the generations that come after us.
Join the March for Nature — Auckland, Saturday 19 September.
Join us in Auckland on Saturday, September 19th 2026 at 1pm for a peaceful protest to defend conservation land.
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