QEII National Trust

What QEII National Trust does

Queen Elizabeth II National Trust (QEII) is a New Zealand statutory non-profit organisation established under the Queen Elizabeth the Second National Trust Act 1977 to partner with private landowners in protecting natural and cultural heritage sites. The Trust registers Open Space Covenants on private land titles, binding the protected area in perpetuity regardless of subsequent ownership changes, while the landowner retains fee-simple ownership and management control. As of 2025, QEII has registered more than 5,382 covenants covering approximately 180,000 hectares, delivered through a national network of 31 regional representatives supported by a Wellington head office of approximately 30 staff covering legal, ecological, policy, finance, communications, and philanthropy functions.

The Trust's core product surface is the Open Space Covenant, supplemented by the Restoration Agreement (an intermediate protection mechanism for sites building toward covenant status), and supported by an expanding GIS platform. This includes the publicly accessible QEII-Protected Areas Map (launched June 2026) and the ArcGIS Hub-based Open Data Portal (launched March 2026), which together replace the prior quarterly downloadable file approach with continuously updated covenant boundary data. QEII also owns and stewards Remarkables Station, a 900-hectare property near Queenstown gifted in 2022, and publishes Open Space magazine, guides and handbooks, and a video library. The underlying technology stack consists of conventional geospatial and operational systems (ArcGIS Map Hub, QUIC, Little Green Light, Exonet, WordPress, Mailchimp) rather than AI/ML-driven infrastructure.

QEII's revenue model is diversified across six streams: (1) individual, family, life, and corporate memberships (annual subscriptions, not tax-deductible); (2) donations and bequests (tax-credit eligible over NZD $5), including the annual "Inspiring Protection – Kaitiaki" giving programme; (3) government grants, primarily through the Department of Conservation's Jobs for Nature "Protecting the Gains" project (approximately NZD $8M over four years) and a separate covenant deer eradication project (approximately NZD $2M over three years); (4) the Stephenson Fund, a national contestable grant programme providing NZD $1,000-$15,000 per covenantor with 50% co-funding; (5) the Auckland Council Fund, a regional partnership providing NZD $2,000-$23,000 with one-third co-funding; and (6) overseas purchaser processing fees of NZD $7,000 plus GST for the first covenant and NZD $1,000 plus GST for additional covenants, supporting Overseas Investment Office applications. The University of Waikato estimates that landowners spend approximately NZD $25M annually of their own money on covenant maintenance, implying a $1:$14 leverage ratio on every government dollar QEII receives.

Name

QEII National Trust

Legal name

Queen Elizabeth the Second National Trust

Website

https://qeiinationaltrust.org.nz

Company type

Private

Founded year

1977

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

QEII National Trust is a New Zealand statutory non-profit that partners with private landowners to protect natural and cultural heritage sites through perpetual open space covenants registered on land titles. Founded in 1977, it manages over 5,382 covenants covering 180,000 hectares via 31 regional representatives.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Land Conservation Services

NAICS

Nature Parks and Other Similar Institutions (71219)

SIC

Real Estate Dealers (For Their Own Account) (6532)

akta.pro primary industry

Land Trusts & Protected Areas (BPAGAGAC)

akta.pro secondary industry

Conservation Easements & Land Trust Services (AFAMAMAH)

Keywords

• Open space covenants
• Land conservation
• Biodiversity protection
• Private land preservation
• Habitat conservation

Headquarters

HQ city

Wellington

HQ country

New Zealand

HQ region

Oceania

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Membership Fees: Annual memberships (Individual, Family, Life, Corporate) provide recurring revenue. Membership includes Open Space magazine subscription, event invitations, eligibility to vote for Board Directors, and access to partner property discounts. Memberships are registered charitable entity - not donations and not eligible for tax credit.
2. Donations and Fundraising: Donations support conservation work with private landowners. Donations over $5 NZD are eligible for tax credit. Includes 'Inspiring Protection - Kaitiaki' annual donation program for day-to-day activities support.
3. Government Grants and Funding: Jobs for Nature funding through Department of Conservation - $8 million over four years for 'Protecting the Gains' project. Additional government funding supports operations. QEII is a statutory organization independent from Government.
4. Stephenson Fund Grants: Contestable fund for covenant enhancement established 2017, providing grants of $1,000-$15,000 (incl GST) for pest plant control, predator control, revegetation, and track maintenance. Requires 50% financial or in-kind contribution.
5. Auckland Council Fund: Partnership with Auckland Council for covenantors in Auckland region, providing grants of $2,000-$23,000 (incl GST) for biodiversity protection projects. Requires minimum one-third contribution.
6. Overseas Investment Processing Fees: Processing fees for overseas purchasers seeking to protect land as part of OIO applications: $7k + GST for first covenant, $1k + GST for additional covenants, plus fencing and survey costs.

Pricing tiers

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

QEII National Trust partners with private landowners in New Zealand to register perpetual Open Space Covenants on land titles, protecting natural and cultural heritage sites in perpetuity while landowners retain ownership and management control. The organization also manages Restoration Agreements for sites developing toward full covenant protection, runs a public Protected Areas Map and Open Data Portal, administers grant programs (Stephenson Fund and Auckland Council Fund), and stewards gifted properties including Remarkables Station (900 hectares near Queenstown).

Product overview

QEII National Trust operates a platform of land protection and covenant management services for private landowners in New Zealand. The core product is the Open Space Covenant — a perpetual legal agreement registered on land titles — supplemented by the Restoration Agreement for sites developing toward full covenant status. Supporting products include the Protected Areas Map (public interactive map) and Open Data Portal (ArcGIS-hosted GIS data service). The organisation also owns and manages Remarkables Station. Financial support products include the Stephenson Fund (national contestable grant, $1k–$15k) and the Auckland Council Fund (regional grant, $2k–$23k). Supplementary offerings encompass publications (Open Space Magazine, Guides and Handbooks), a Covenant Document Template, and video content covering restoration and species management.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Quantifiable outcome

• 5,382 covenants registered protecting 180,000 hectares since 1977
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Auckland CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020Established a fund for covenantors in Auckland region undertaking projects to protect and enhance indigenous biodiversity on registered covenants. The Auckland Council Fund provides grants of $2,000-$23,000 for eligible projects including pest control, track work, kauri disease deterrence, and fencing upgrades.
• Department of Conservation (DOC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerQEII works closely with DOC on conservation initiatives. DOC appoints four directors to QEII's Board. QEII receives Jobs for Nature funding ($8M over 4 years) through DOC for 'Protecting the Gains' project to provide legal protection for Jobs for Nature-funded projects on private land. DOC also administers QEII's ArcGIS Map Hub data.
• Regional CouncilsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerQEII works with regional and district councils around the country to provide financial support, advice, and training for landowners managing protected land. Councils are also referred to QEII for potential covenanting of conservation projects.
• WeedbustersminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInteragency weeds awareness and education programme encouraging communities and landowners to work together to stop weedy plants. QEII strongly supports Weedbusters and refers covenantors to participate.
• Southern Lakes SanctuaryminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization working on Remarkables Station property, taking 'boots on the ground' approach to predator control. Key to supporting biodiversity in Southern Corridor area.
• Whakatipu Wildlife TrustminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization working on Remarkables Station property for wildlife conservation and predator control initiatives.
• Remarkables Trails TrustminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNewly formed group working collaboratively with QEII to open walking trails and access on Remarkables Station property. Developing trail along Remarkables foothills.
• Remarkables Station TrustcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTrust established to support QEII's stewardship of the gifted 900-hectare Remarkables Station property. Collaborating on community engagement and future planning for the property.
• Land Information New Zealand (LINZ)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLINZ receives covenant documents from QEII for registration on land titles. QEII accesses LINZ property ownership information and address data for covenant management. LINZ also provides publicly available property title boundary data for QEII's public map.
• International National TrustsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerQEII members receive free or discounted entry to properties owned/administered by National Trust (UK), National Trust of Fiji, National Trust for Scotland, Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation, National Trust of Australia (all states), Gibraltar Heritage Trust, Barbados National Trust, Japan National Trust, Bermuda National Trust, and National Trust for Zimbabwe.
• Ngā Whenua RāhuiminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAlternative provider of protection for biodiversity sites on Māori-owned land using Kawenata. QEII refers landowners to Ngā Whenua Rāhui where appropriate for their protection needs.
• Conservation VolunteersminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCommunity conservation organization QEII works alongside for volunteer engagement and conservation activities.
• Million Metres Streams ProjectminorGTM or Marketing PartnerQEII works alongside this organization which supports riparian margin protection - aligned with QEII's covenanting work.
• Queen Elizabeth II National TrustcoreOthersQEII is the only organization in New Zealand providing statutory open space covenant protection under the QEII National Trust Act 1977. The protection mechanism is unique and has legal standing in perpetuity.

Scale indicators13 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Broad incumbents

• The Nature Conservancy (TNC): Global conservation organization using conservation easements (US), debt-for-nature swaps, and direct property acquisition. Comparable in mission and data infrastructure approach; broadly comparable in funding model mix (grants, donations, government).
• National Trust (UK): Historic UK conservation charity holding heritage properties and offering reciprocal access to QEII members. Comparable mission and international peer network membership, though operating model is property ownership rather than covenanting.
• Department of Conservation (DOC): New Zealand government agency managing public conservation land. Complementary rather than competitive—DOC administers Jobs for Nature funding flowing to QEII, appoints four QEII board directors, and partners on covenant enforcement on private land.
• Land Trust Alliance (US): US umbrella organization for 1,000+ regional land trusts using conservation easements. Comparable sectoral role to QEII's national covenanting function; useful benchmark for monitoring standards, accreditation, and national-scale coordination.

Direct peers

• Bush Heritage Australia: Australian non-profit that acquires and manages conservation properties to protect biodiversity. Comparable in mission and scale though uses acquisition model rather than easement/covenant model; useful benchmark for property-gift programs like Remarkables Station.
• Trust for Nature (Victoria): Australian (Victoria) statutory conservation covenant provider operating a near-identical model: perpetual legal covenants on private land title, partnership with landowners, ongoing monitoring. Most direct international structural peer to QEII.
• Open Space Institute: US non-profit acquiring and protecting open spaces and working landscapes; comparable in mission and approach to permanent land protection. Less directly comparable on covenant/easement model but shares philanthropic-gift and conservation-finance toolkit.
• Ngā Whenua Rāhui: New Zealand government-funded entity providing Kawenata (covenants) for biodiversity protection on Māori-owned land. Directly comparable as alternative covenanting mechanism; QEII refers Māori landowners to Ngā Whenua Rāhui when Māori-specific protections are more appropriate.

Regional players

• Forest & Bird (Royal Society for the Protection of Birds NZ): New Zealand's largest independent conservation NGO covering advocacy, habitat protection, and member-supported conservation. Complementary peer—QEII partners with Forest & Bird for referrals and on overlapping conservation priorities.
• Predator Free 2050 Limited: New Zealand government-backed initiative coordinating predator eradication. QEII is a key delivery partner via its $2M Jobs for Nature deer eradication project and Stephenson Fund grants for pest control.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/QEIINatTrust
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCLGD0cA32momSjoRLyVrSpA
• Facebookfacebook.com/qeiinationaltrust
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/qeii-national-trust

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about QEII National Trust