QEII National Trust

For open space in New Zealand

QEII helps landowners to protect significant natural and cultural features on their land through open space covenants.

Protecting open space

QEII National Trust, an independent statutory organisation, was set up in 1977 to encourage and promote, for the benefit of New Zealand, the provision, protection, preservation and enhancement of open space.

The Trust’s core activity is to secure long-term protection of natural and cultural features on private land, usually by the legal mechanism of an open space covenant.

A semi-coastal wetland and forest covenant in Kaipara Photo: Nick Matich

Left: A semi-coastal wetland and forest covenant south of Mangawhai Village in Kaipara.

The fence protecting the covenant was funded by QEII, the landowners and the Northland Regional Council.

 

 

QEII acts as a perpetual trustee to ensure the values remain protected forever.

The QEII model of protection is proven to be a robust, simple and cost-effective resource management tool.

QEII works closely with the Department of Conservation, regional and district councils, the Historic Places Trust, Landcare Research, the New Zealand Farm Environment Award Trust and others committed to protecting and enhancing New Zealand’s diverse open space.

Features protected

Features protected by QEII open space covenants include:
  • Landscapes
  • Native forest remnants
  • High country
  • Wetlands
  • Tussock grasslands
  • Threatened species habitats
  • Cultural sites
    		•
  • Streams and water features
  • Arboretums
  • Coastlines
  • Geological features
  • Archaeological features
  • Wildlife habitats

    • A forest and wetland covenant near Gisborne Photo: Malcolm Piper

    Left: A lowland forest and freshwater oxbow wetland covenant on alluvial terraces of the Motu River on the East Coast.

     

     

    What does QEII offer?

    QEII offers:

    • A relationship independent of other agencies.
    • Over 30 years’ experience working in partnership with private landowners throughout the country.
    • Expertise in legal protection (open space covenants) and legal documentation.
    • Possible funding assistance e.g. partial fencing costs.
    • Survey arrangement and costs (but not in the case of subdivision).
    • Lodgement of all necessary documentation with Land Information New Zealand to formally register the covenant on the property title.
    • Local QEII representatives who monitor the health of covenants and provide practical management advice.
    • Open Space™ magazine three times a year; a highly respected publication on protecting biodiversity.

    Landowners throughout the country have voluntarily protected over 111,000 hectares of their land through QEII covenants.

    QEII also owns 29 properties, which collectively protect 1,686 hectares of significant habitat. These have mostly been gifted to the Trust. Effective stewardship of these properties is greatly assisted by local communities and management committees.

    QEII brochures

    Download QEII brochures about protecting special areas with open space covenants.

    Assisting landowners to protect special features on their land (PDF, 217KB)

    Frequently asked questions about open space covenants (PDF, 205KB)

    Slideshow about QEII Trust

    Download Protecting our heritage - private conservation in New Zealand (PPT 2.3MB), October 2008

    or PDF version - Protecting our heritage (PDF 1.3MB), October 2008

    QEII Trust Legislation

    To aid conservation on private land, QEII was established under visionary legislation by the Queen Elizabeth the Second National Trust Act 1977 'to encourage and promote, for the benefit of New Zealand, the provision, protection, preservation and enhancement of open space.' For more about the legislation .....

    The Trust is a statutory organisation independent from Government and managed by a Board of Directors.

    North Canterbury kowhai trees Photo: Miles GillerA QEII Regional Representative's View

    Download a QEII Regional Representative's View of the work of QEII (PDF 253KB), by Miles Giller, QEII North Canterbury Regional Representative.

    Right: Kowhai trees growing over mixed scrub and tussock grasslands, North Canterbury.


    For Board and organisational structure ...

    Find out more about open space covenants ...

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