‘Conservation matters’, New Zealand’s Department of Conservation (DOC) briefed its new minister in 2014, because ‘New Zealand’s natural heritage shapes the country’s cultural identity and ... New Zealanders identify strongly with conservation lands and waters’ (Department of Conservation, 2014, p.4). It further explained that the benefits of conservation are much more than improving health and well-being and contributing to a sense of personal achievement. Conservation protects natural capital, delivers infrastructure, and underpins New Zealand’s primary production sector and tourism. In short, the country’s national and conservation parks and native biodiversity benefit the country’s economy, prosperity and future well-being. DOC then informed the minister that New Zealand’s biodiversity is declining; its unique native fauna and flora and ecosystem services are reducing. Although the text conflates natural heritage with the outdoors, conservation and biodiversity, it is clear throughout that DOC is referring to New Zealand’s nature: the phenomena of New Zealand’s physical world, as opposed to its humans or human creations.