Tiritiri Matangi voted top restoration site

Date: 15 April 2009

Tiritiri Matangi voted top restoration site

Tiritiri Matangi Island in the Hauraki Gulf Marine Park has been named one of the top 25 ecological restoration projects in Australia and New Zealand.

The Department of Conservation-managed island is one of five DOC restoration projects selected by a cross-Tasman panel of eminent ecologists in a competition run by the international Global Restoration Network. The Top 25 contest is part of the preparation for a major ecological restoration conference being held in Perth in August.

Tiritiri Matangi was selected for the diversity of restoration activities, dating back to 1984, the high level of community involvement, and the huge amount of restoration research undertaken by seven universities and polytechnics. Key to its success has been extensive community involvement, including the volunteer group Supporters of Tiritiri Matangi. With over 1500 members, the 20-year-old Supporters group is one of the country’s largest conservation volunteer groups.

“This is a huge accolade for the many volunteers from the Supporters of Tiritiri Matangi, and other community groups who raised funds, planted trees, built nest-boxes, guided visitors and undertook innumerable other tasks,” Supporters of Tiritiri Matangi chair Peter Lee said.

“Their work has transformed the island, which is now recognised as one of the premier sites to view many species of rare native birds.”

The Supporters of Tiritiri Matangi and the Department of Conservation have achieved numerous successes in the 25 years since the project was initiated. Many of the species translocated to the island had previously survived only on distant island or mountain nature reserves inaccessible to the public. For many thousands of New Zealanders and overseas visitors, their first and only encounters with takahe, little spotted kiwi, saddlebacks, stitchbird, kokako and tuatara have been on Tiritiri Matangi.

“This award is a tribute to the many sponsors, Supporters’ members and volunteers who rolled their sleeves up, got stuck in, and made a difference to restoring the island and its ecology” says Lee.

Other New Zealand projects selected by the panel were Mana Island, Rotoiti nature recovery project, Te Urewera mainland island, Fiordland Islands restoration project, ZEALANDIA – Karori Sanctuary, Maungatautari ecological island, and Bushy Park sanctuary.

Further information can be found on the following websites:
• Global Restoration Network www.globalrestorationnetwork.org/countries/australianew-zealand/new-zealand/
• Supporters of Tiritiri Matangi www.tiritirimatangi.org.nz/Award.htm
• Department of Conservation www.doc.govt.nz/top25

ENDS

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