Tiritiri Matangi Island, New Zealand

Tiritiri Matangi Island is one of New Zealand’s most successful environmental recovery projects. Located in the North Islands Hauraki Gulf.  Visitors are welcomed to this open wildlife sanctuary with forest, grassland, and seashore habitats supporting native bird life. Plan well ahead of time to  pre-book a priviledged overnight stay in the Department of Conservation, Tiritiri Matangi Island bunkhouse. An amazing experience. My visit reflects what one can enjoy photographing on a day tour of the Island. A study profile group of images of the endangered rare Takahe Bird. At request of bird researches I did include more multiple profiles of each bird encountered on the trails.    New Zealands conservation resources strongly promote capture tagging  – banding  birds to study and track movements in care.

History.  Kawerau-A-Maki were the first Maori tribe to settle on the 1 sq mile (2.5 sq km) island. These indigenous polynesians established the village Pa Tiritiri Matangi ( a place tossed by the wind). After the signing of the 1840 Treaty of Waitangi, a light house station was established near the highest point of the island.  During the 1940’s the land was farmed and posted as a WII defense area. 1969 the island became a recreation and native wildlife santuary. Volunteers began replanting with native flora. Jim and Barbara Battersby formed the Supporters of Tiritiri Matangi Inc (SoTM) in 1988 to raise funds for the island.

Ferry to the Tiritiri Matangi island. Depart from the attractive city harbor and return on the same day. Located 18 miles, (30km), east of the North Island’s Auckland’s City, this one hour ferry ride includes ocean views of the Auckland’s Hauraki Gulf, Waiheke, Motutapu, and Rakino islands. Arrival at Tiritiri Matangi begins by a welcome from the Ranger and Supporters at the Jetty/wharf. Visitors contribute to the protection and survival of fauna and flora especially birds, by checking all gear for contaminants of unwanted seeds and little pests. A rodent may have hitched a ride on the ferry and would cause great damage to this precious environment.

The Department of Conservation, (DOC), Ranger gives an educational outline.  Then you are on your journey to explore the trails. The walks start with views of spectacular coastal plants, like Harakeke-flax and tall Pohutukawa trees that attract many bird species and lead onto rain forest trees, lichen, and moss. There you will sight many colorful birds with unique calls such as the Tui, Kakariki, Hihi, Toutouwai, Kereru and Saddleback.The Takahe, an endangered species total about 260 birds in the wild. Tiritiri Matangi Takahe like feeding on grassed areas close to green ferns and bush covered forest on the island. The trail summit finishes near the historic lighthouse grounds with dramatic outlooks of the coast and island terrain, located near the shop and guiding operations. Ttrail Map pdf.

Environmental wildlife projects are managed by the Department of Conservation, (DOC.The “Heros of Tiritiri Matangi”, are the“SupporterVolunteers”, with their early contribution to establish a sanctuary, now an intricate partnership with DOC. This future management will ensure the growth of the Island’s species of fauna and flora and advance the well founded education initiatives of the Supporters organization. Their contributions enable continued  specialized research, bird breeding programs, replanting of flora and the restoration of the Historic light house.

Thank you for all donations that are redirected to Tiritiri Matangi official site, Graeme Simpson Images links to all official donation pages.

2 Comments

  1. javhd.com.au

    Nice Post. Thanks!

    Reply
  2. Jav HD

    Good info. Lucky me I ran across your site by chance (stumbleupon).

    I’ve bookmarked it for later!

    Reply

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