Tiritiri Matangi

The ecological restoration of Tiritiri Matangi Island is a community-driven initiative that has captured the interest of the international conservation movement. Ecological restoration commonly focuses on the establishment and maintenance of functioning indigenous ecosystems through the control or eradication of invasive weeds and animal pests, indigenous species translocations, and habitat enhancement, including revegetation. Revegetation of indigenous plant communities provides an opportunity to kick-start natural processes and facilitate succession towards a diverse ecosystem.

Translocation has played a key role in modern New Zealand conservation. This is particularly evident on Tiritiri Matangi where 12 species of bird have been translocated between 1974 and 2013. Eleven of these species have successfully established on the island, six as large self-sustaining populations, one large managed population, two small managed populations and two small establishing populations. Several of these populations are sufficiently fecund to sustain harvest for translocation to other sites, with six species being translocated in >33 translocation events since 1997.