Tiritiri Matangi Island​​: Community Conservation and Birds

Male Hihi on Branch

Tiritiri Matangi’s history is one of Maori settlement followed by the occupation of lighthouse workers in 1865 that included a lease on the land for the use of sheep and cattle farming. In 1971, the farm lease was withdrawn and Tiritiri Matangi became one of the Recreation Reserves in the Hauraki Gulf. In 1974, the replanting and introduction of rare birds took place on the island. The vision, crafted by two professors at the University of Auckland, was an ‘open sanctuary’ island concept that would allow more than just scientists to visit the island’s shores. A true act of community involvement made the island what it is today when in 1988 a group of 30 people formed The Supporters of Tiritiri Matangi (SOTM) Inc. Since then, the responsibility of the island has been put on the Department of Conservation (DOC) but continues to be co-managed with the Supporters of Tiritiri Matangi.

History

New Zealand, a piece of land that drifted off from Australia, has housed many interesting animals throughout time. Once a land without introduced predators, at least not like the ones found in the Americas and beyond, many of the island’s birds have since lost their ability to fly, the most famous being the Kiwi and the legendary Moa. Tiri, as many of people call the island, is one of only two scientific reserves that house endangered birds and allow public access. Tiritiri, popularly translated to ‘tossed by the wind’, sits just east of New Zealand’s largest city, only a 75-minute ferry ride north east of central Auckland.

Tiritiri Matangi’s history is one of Maori settlement followed by the occupation of lighthouse workers in 1865 that included a lease on the land for the use of sheep and cattle farming. In 1971, the farm lease was withdrawn and Tiritiri Matangi became one of the Recreation Reserves in the Hauraki Gulf. In 1974, the replanting and introduction of rare birds took place on the island. The vision, crafted by two professors at the University of Auckland, was an ‘open sanctuary’ island concept that would allow more than just scientists to visit the island’s shores. A true act of community involvement made the island what it is today when in 1988 a group of 30 people formed The Supporters of Tiritiri Matangi (SOTM) Inc. Since then, responsibility of the island has been put on the Department of Conservation (DOC) but continues to be co-managed with the Supporters of Tiritiri Matangi.

Reflections 

Walking down one of the treks with a woman who was staying at the island’s bunkhouse, a person that later became a great connection during my time in New Zealand, she recounted a story about Maui and the Tīeke (North island Saddleback). "As Maui was trying to steal the sun", she said, "he reached down and grabbed the bird, burning a red tint on its back." On our search for a great big Wētā (like a giant grasshopper), I was left wondering how many stories like the one I heard were used to understand the natural environment.

Field Notes

Birds: 

• Tīeke – on the cliffs making the creepiest sounds

• Takahē — foraging near the lighthouse, a reminder that there were once giant flightless birds that roamed these lands

• Pukeko — Another larger bird, red frontal and blue/purple body

• Pōpokatea (Whitehead)

• Hihi (Stitchbird) —- its birdsong goes ‘heee heee’

• North Island Kōkako— bounding from branch to branch, eating and tossing its trash on the ground.

• Tītipounamu (Rifleman) — One of two endemic wrens, and NZs smallest bird.

• Tuī (Parson bird)— With its multi-metallic blue, blacks and green feathers. And a small little patch of throat feathers called poi (after it’s the resemblance to poi balls)

• Kererū — the New Zealand Pigeon. Large creatures that help out with the regeneration processes of the native forests.

• Korora (little blue penguin) — found sitting on some eggs at the islands penguin boxes.

• Pīwakawaka (Fantail) —  One followed me throughout most of my journey across the island. Although I would love to think it was following me as a friend, I’m sure it really was the small flies I was kicking up on my hike.

Insect:

• Auckland Tree Wētā (can be about 40mm long)

Vegetation:

• Kawakawa — part of the piper family!

• Mānuka— tea tree

• Kōwhai — yellow in flower. The tuis love eating them

• Pōhutukawa — also known as Christmas tree and in the same family as ‘ohi’a lehua

• Pūriri — used as burial tree

• Mamaku– black ponga tree fern.

• Foliaceous lichen

• Reindeer lichen