
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
Annual reports
Explore our annual reports to find out what we've been up to... since 2008!

Latest stories
