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Tiritiri Matangi Island

Tiritiri Matangi Island is one of New Zealand's most important nature reserves and a major conservation project. In the 19th and for much of the 20th century, the 220-hectare Tiritiri Matangi was very heavily farmed and it lost 95% of its native bush. However in the 1980s and 1990s volunteers planted some 300,000 trees on the island, so today around 60% of the island is forested, while the rest is being left as grassland to encourage grassland species, such as butterflies and the Takahe.

 

To protect the rare species, mammalian predators have been eradicated, so several rare species, such as Little spotted kiwi, Takahe, Whitehead, stitchbird, kokako, North Island saddleback, and North Island tomtit have all been reintroduced here. There is nowhere else in New Zealand where it is possible to walk through the bush and see so many rare and endangered species.

Highlights: Bellbird, Galah, kaka, Australasian harrier, kookaburra, pukeko, weak, tui, Spotless crake, Little spotted kiwi, Takahe, Whitehead, stitchbird, kokako, North Island saddleback and North Island tomtit are amongst the 80 or so species that occur on Tiritiri Matangi.

Common and bottlenose dolphins can both be seen around the island.

How to get there: By ferry. Ferries leave from Gulf Harbour and downtown Auckland allowing, but there are only roughly 150 spaces per day. Ferry bookings  can be made by calling New Zealand 0800 360 Discovery (0800-3603472) or 09-424 5510, or online at http://www.360discovery.co.nz/

Location: 30km north east of central Auckland and just 4km from the end of Whangaparaoa Peninsula.

Accommodation: Accommodation is available in a bunkhouse with four rooms. The bunkhouse has an equipped kitchen, hot and cold running water, showers and bathroom facilities. You need to bring a sleeping bag, a pillow case, a sheet to cover the mattress if you wish and your own food.

Bookings must be made with the Department of Conservation. Bookings can be made online at www.doc.govt.nz/tiritiribunkhouse or by phoning 09 425 7812.

These maps are intended as a guideline only; you must check the exact location of the reserve yourself. Wildlife Extra assumes no responsibility for the accuracy or usefulness of the information on this website.