IRF Membership in Oceania

The Oceania region is comprised of the 24 countries and territories of Polynesia, Micronesia, Melanesia, Australia and New Zealand containing a diverse range of ecosystems.

Oceania’s countries range from highly developed ones like New Zealand and Australia to those striving to strengthen their economies like Tuvalu and Kiribati. Except for a few countries and islands like Australia, New Zealand, and New Guinea, most of Oceania features small island countries or large archipelagos with scattered islands. These islands have strong culture and whose livelihoods are dependent on the land and sea.

Rangers and protected area workers throughout Oceania conduct their duties under a range of titles: technical, compliance, wildlife, conservation, interpretation, cultural, park, terrestrial, marine, indigenous, community and forest rangers are a few to mention. Some work for government, while others are employed by local communities, not for profit organisations, or serve as volunteers. All are working towards protecting Oceania’s special places, cultural and natural values, and valuable resources of which they depend upon.

Climate change poses disturbing threats, endangering the natural and cultural resources that have sustained Pacific Islanders and First Nations peoples for generations. More than ever, it is vital Pacific Islanders and First Nations people be encouraged to share their concerns and challenges, and consider grass roots solutions.

This can be done by bringing likeminded people together from different geographical areas who share a common discipline or field. Oceania rangers, protected area workers and conservationists need to connect, share knowledge, create partnerships, learn new skills, and develop strategic ways  protecting nature and nature’s protectors. This needs to be done as a united, diverse and dynamic team.

Twinning agreements between Oceania countries, capacity-building training programs, ranger exchanges, conferences and open forums have proved to be effective ways to achieve this. But more could be done in this space, encouraging inclusiveness and diverse representation.

While facing similar broad-scale problems such as deforestation, species loss and the impacts of global climate change, it’s never been more important for Oceania’s nature’s protectors to collaborate, share their perspectives on addressing these issues, develop ways to improve their working environments, and help each other protect this special part of the world.

2022 Oceania Ranger Forum – Rotorua New Zealand

IRF Members in Oceania


Association of Rangers and Conservationists Victoria (ARCVic)

Australia
Association of Rangers and Conservationists Victoria (ARCVic) stamp

Fiji Islands Ranger Association (FIRA)

Fiji
Fiji Islands Ranger Association (FIRA) stamp

Kalyuku ninti puntuku ngurra (KJ)

Australia
Kalyuku ninti puntuku ngurra (KJ) stamp

New Zealand Recreation Association

New Zealand
New Zealand Recreation Association stamp

Northern Territory Parks and Wildlife Rangers Association (NTRA)

Australia
Northern Territory Parks and Wildlife Rangers Association (NTRA) stamp

Parks Victoria

Australia
Parks Victoria stamp

Protected Area Workers Association of NSW and ACT (PAWA)

Australia
Protected Area Workers Association of NSW and ACT (PAWA) stamp

Queensland Rangers Association (QRA)

Australia
Queensland Rangers Association (QRA) stamp

Rangers of Aotearoa New Zealand-ROANZ

New Zealand
Rangers of Aotearoa New Zealand-ROANZ stamp

Soloman Islands Ranger Association (SIRA)

Solomon Islands
Soloman Islands Ranger Association (SIRA) stamp

South Australian Ranger Association (SARA)

Australia
South Australian Ranger Association (SARA) stamp

Tasmanian Rangers Association (TRA)

Australia
Tasmanian Rangers Association (TRA) stamp

Tawatana Community Conservation Development Association (TCCDA)

Solomon Islands
Tawatana Community Conservation Development Association (TCCDA) stamp

Tenkile Conservation Alliance

Papua New Guinea
Tenkile Conservation Alliance stamp

The Thin Green Line Foundation

Australia
The Thin Green Line Foundation stamp

YUKU BAJA MULIKU Landowner & Reserrves LTD

Australia
YUKU BAJA MULIKU Landowner & Reserrves LTD stamp