Tiritiri Matangi – an overview of 25 years of ecological restoration

Tiritiri Matangi Island is a scientific reserve in the Hauraki Gulf, New Zealand that has a long history of degradation from human occupation. The ecological restoration of the island commenced in 1984, with revegetation, species translocations and management of invasive species. Ecological restoration projects are, in essence, experimental in that the restoration outcomes are not known. Thus, they offer opportunities for formal research to run parallel with the restoration process, to track, assess and critique ecological manipulations and the resulting outcomes. These research opportunities on Tiritiri Matangi have been taken up by ecologists from a number of tertiary institutions. The enhancement of the island’s ecosystems through restorative actions, and the associated research, are indicative of a dual pathway inherent in ecological restoration projects.