About us

Freshwater and marine kaitiakitanga

The Mountains to Sea Conservation Trust, originally Nga Maunga ki te Moana, began in Northland, New Zealand. It has since grown into a national leader in conservation, environmental education, and community-driven restoration. The Trust's mission is to protect and connect New Zealand’s freshwater and marine environments, fostering conservation through education and community engagement.

Our goal

Our goal is to empower and support communities in achieving marine and freshwater conservation through science-based, hands-on programmes, accessible resources, collaborative projects, and meaningful community engagement.

Our kaupapa

🌱 Environmental Education & Community Engagement

We create, foster, and deliver educational strategies, programmes, resources, and community activities that inspire awareness and action.

📣 Advocacy for Conservation

We work directly with communities and government to advocate for robust conservation measures and the protection of biodiversity through designated areas and policy change.

👩‍🔬 Supporting Young Environmental Leaders

We support and provide opportunities for emerging environmental professionals to engage with schools and communities in education, ecological restoration, and conservation management.

⛰️ Advancing Knowledge & Research

We promote scientific research and the integration of traditional knowledge to deepen understanding of aquatic ecosystems and biodiversity. We ensure research findings are shared widely within the community.

🔬 Technical & Scientific Support

We offer technical and scientific assistance to schools, community groups, and environmental advocates to further the Trust’s mission and impact.

Our values

In 2022, we refined our core values:

🌿 Collaboration 💡 Empowerment and Innovation ❤️ Honouring Te Tiriti o Waitangi 🤝 Integrity & Aroha 🎉 Fun & Passion 🌱 Community-Centred Conservation 🌊 Connecting People to Te Taiao 🛠️ Let Our Mahi Tell Our Story ✨ Pono 🔓 Open Source