Project Janszoon
Abel Tasman National Park
Project Janszoon is a philanthropic conservation trust investing millions to restore the ecology of the Abel Tasman National Park.
Project Janszoon celebrates 10 years of restoration in the Abel Tasman National Park.
Project Janszoon kicked off in 2012 with a game-changing donation from Neil and Annette Plowman. Their $25 million gift set the stage for a bold vision—restoring the natural beauty and biodiversity of Abel Tasman National Park.
The trust launched into action with a wide-reaching restoration plan. From pest control to native planting, the work was hands-on and heartfelt. Since 2014, volunteers have planted over 45,000 native trees, helping rebuild the park’s original forest. But it wasn’t just about trees—the return of native birds brought the park to life in a whole new way.
Kākāriki, kākā, tīeke, whio and pāteke have all been reintroduced, thanks to years of careful planning and collaboration with DOC and local iwi. Today, the sound of kākā calls through once-silent valleys proves the effort is working.
What really makes Project Janszoon special is its community spirit. With school programmes and volunteer days, it’s made conservation something everyone can participate in. As one DOC director said, if every national park had a Project Janszoon, our biodiversity crisis would be a very different story.
