From Opus

Leaving Tiritiri Matangi Island to return to Auckland, New Zealand, Nov. 2000
Photo by HelenB

[edit] Overview

Located in Hauraki Gulf, 4 km (2.5 miles) off the coast of the Whangaparaoa Peninsula, north of Auckland, New Zealand, Tiritiri Matangi is an island sanctuary for New Zealand's native birds, which have been decimated by introduced mammalian predators in the past. It's about 1 hour by boat from Auckland waterfront.

[edit] Birds

[edit] Notable Species

Once there you'll meet the rangers, Ray and Barbara Walter, two great people who have been closely involved with the Island ever since it became a sanctuary 21 years ago.You will also come across the unique Takahe, completely flightless, huge(nearly the size of a goose) and dark blue with a great red bill. Some are very friendly and will walk right up to you.

Another unique bird and quite plentiful, is the nearly flightless Tieke or Saddleback, about the size of a Starling with little red wattles just behind the bill and red saddle-shaped marking on its back, hence its name.

A bird closely related to it, also nearly flightless is the Kokako, about twice the size of the Tieke, grey with bluish wattles behind the bill, has a beautiful song which you may be lucky enough to hear.

Sadly,these and many other native NZ birds may become extinct if more effort is not made to preserve them, although there is far more hope for them than there was ten or twenty years ago.

Other birds living on Tiritiri Matangi are: The Tui, glossy black and energetic with the white tuft of feathers at its throat which earned it the old name of Parson Bird and Korimako, or New Zealand Bellbird, both honeyeaters, which are in their element when the pohutukawa trees flower red just before Christmas and both sweet singers which tend to bully smaller birds.

The Hihi or Stitchbird is not as common. Also a honeyeater, it is a hole nester in the boles of trees and is extremely rare. The male is brightly coloured and makes a clicking noise, to which it owes its name.

The Pateke or Brown Teal, a small duck, is also extremely rare. You will also come across small flocks of Popokatea or Whitehead and Kakariki or Red Crowned Parakeet.

This about sums up the rarest and most unique birds on the island: birds which you are very unlikely to find anywhere else in NZ (except Tui and Bellbird) and which will give you a most enjoyable afternoon of bird watching.

Takahe in the captive breeding program on Tiritiri Matangi Island, New Zealand, Nov. 2000
Photo by HelenB

[edit] Rarities

To do

[edit] Check-list

Birds you can see here include:

To do

[edit] Other Wildlife

All introduced mammalian predators have been eliminated from the island to give the native birds the protection they need to breed and recover their numbers. New Zealand's birds evolved in the absence of mammals which makes them particularly vulnerable to the feral cats, stoats, weasels, rats and mice which man brought to New Zealand.

[edit] Site Information

The Seacat moored at Tiritiri Wharf, Tiritiri Matangi Island, New Zealand, Nov. 2000
Photo by HelenB

[edit] History and Use

To do

[edit] Areas of Interest

To do

[edit] Access and Facilities

• 360 Discovery provide the ferry service from Auckland. Service is every Wed-Sun and public holidays.
• Only 150 people a day are allowed to visit, and strict measures are taken to ensure that no-one accidentally brings any rodent pests onshore in their baggage!
• Guided tours, conducted by the volunteers from the Supporters of Tiritiri are available.
• Souvenir shop with drinks, but you must bring your own food.

[edit] Contact Details

Tiritiri Matangi Island Field Centre
Phone: +64 9 476 0920
Address: Tiritiri Matangi Island, Hauraki Gulf
Postal Address: Private Bag 68908, Newton 1145, New Zealand

[edit] External Links

• Map of the island with walking trails
• Official website for Tiritiri Matangi Island
• Dept. of Conservation website
• 360 Discovery ferry service out of Auckland

Content and images originally posted by jimnz and HelenB