Tiritiri Matangi Island

As a special treat for our last full day in New Zealand, Auckland hosts Ivan and Barbara took us on a day trip to the Tiritiri Matangi Island bird reserve. They know the island and its flora and fauna as well as the "official" guides, so we had the luxury of a wonderful hike and picnic away from the large group of visitors who traveled on the same boat.

From the New Zealand Department of Conservation: "Tiritiri Matangi ('looking to the wind' or 'wind tossing about') lies 4km off the coast of the Whangaparaoa Peninsula. It is one of the most successful conservation projects in the world. Unwanted predators have been eradicated, and the once-pastoral island has been replanted with native trees. Rare native birds and animals have been returned to its now-safe and restored habitats. Unlike most other island sanctuaries, Tiritiri Matangi is an open sanctuary, and visitors are rewarded with the special experience of seeing some of New Zealand's most endangered birds in the wild."

The map above is adapted from an Auckland City page on the Hauraki Gulf Islands -- click on the map to go to that page.

For a great deal more information on Tiritiri Matangi, including much better pictures of the exotic birds than any I could take, click on the SOTM icon at the right. Some of the birds -- notably the takahe -- are quite tame and will come close enough to people for reaonably good pictures without special equipment. Most are seen and heard at a distance or hidden in the foliage, where pictures are more difficult. Our pictures serve to remind us of a wonderful day spent in a beautiful place with great friends helping us to discover the sights and sounds of some very special creatures. The island map on the SOTM site shows where we went -- following the Hobbs Beach and Kawerau Tracks from the wharf, crossing the island, having lunch at Fisherman's Bay, returning on the East Coast Track to the lighthouse area (for refreshment, shopping, and pictures of the takahe), and then back to the wharf on the Wattle Track.

Please follow the link below to our pictures.