Native Forest Restoration Trust

The Native Forest Restoration Trust (NFRT) is a New Zealand conservation charity dedicated to purchasing, protecting, restoring, and managing native forests and wetlands. Since 1980, we have worked to safeguard some of the country’s most threatened ecosystems, particularly lowland forests and wetlands that remain under-protected. NFRT was formed when a group of New Zealanders united to stop the logging of giant tōtara in Pureora Forest. That grassroots ethos still defines our organisation today. Over the past 45 years, we have protected more than 9,000 hectares nationwide. Our work includes land acquisition, ecological restoration, pest management, biodiversity monitoring, and long-term stewardship. Despite our national reach, NFRT has just 3 full-time staff supported by around 80 volunteers contributing more than 11,000 hours annually through restoration work, reserve management, governance, and community engagement.