Welcome to Project Janszoon
Together, we have restored the Abel Tasman National Park
Natives Planted
Birds released
Students in education programme
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“Takahia mai ra
Te tupuna whenua o Aorere
Ka rere taku reo tongi
Mai i Mārahau ki Wainui
Whakatau mai, Whakatau mai”
“Traversing the ancestral lands
My voice soars and declares
From Mārahau to Wainui
Welcome, welcome.”
Our story
Project Janszoon, was the first privately-funded landscape-scale restoration project of its kind in New Zealand.
Launched in 2012, Project Janszoon and its partners removed pests and weeds, returned native birds, educated young people and inspired a culture of care for the Abel Tasman National Park.
our work
Project Janszoon is a story about when philanthropists don’t just write a cheque but commit to make real change that will benefit generations to come. Visitors to the Abel Tasman now see kàkā along the coast, whio and pateke in the rivers, robin are regularly spotted near the beaches for the first time in decades. The wilding pines have been dealt to, volunteers keep the gorse and other weeds at bay on the beaches, and natives like mistletoe and rata are making a comeback in the forests.
Predator Control
A comprehensive predator control programme has given native birds and plants a chance to thrive.
Read More >>
A blueprint for conservation
Project Janszoon was launched with the generous support of New Zealand couple Neal and Annette Plowman, who went on to establish the $200 million philanthropic NEXT Foundation. The project’s influence has extended far beyond Abel Tasman National Park with the model of collaborative conservation partnerships now replicated around Aotearoa.
WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING
“We were passionate and lucky enough to have the funds to support Project Janszoon, but we needed the strength of partnerships and people with different skills to bring the vision to life.”
Annette Plowman, Project Janszoon benefactor
“What an incredibly generous gift to have made to the whenua. The Mauri here is healing and it feels a real privilege to be part of this.”
Ropata Taylor, Chair Ngati Rārua Ātiawa Iwi Trust
“It’s exciting to see the way the community, the kids, the visitors to the park have really embraced the project, and to know that we’re leaving the park in much better shape than it was.”
Devon McLean, Project Janszoon founder
“We will honour that legacy that Project Janszoon has built, and we will do that alongside iwi, landowners, communities, and other partners who cared deeply about this place.”
Penny Nelson, DOC Director General
Visiting the Park? Download our Abel Tasman app
The Abel Tasman app is a free smartphone app with up-to-date information on weather, tides, points of interest, history, plants, wildlife and walking times in Abel Tasman National Park. It has a map with geolocation – so you always know where you are!
Education Tool Box
Our Education Toolbox contains lots of useful information for schools visiting the Abel Tasman.
Park Tool Box
Heading into the park? Check out the activities, apps and info in our Park Tool Box to help you make the most of your trip.
OUR PARTNERS
Project Janszoon is a team effort and we couldn’t have done it alone.
We’re proud to have the support of the following organisations.
Photos courtesy of Dave Buckton nelsonphototours.co.nz and Ruth Bollongino fernphotos.com