The Kawau Island project is an intensive restoration programme with an initial focus on eradicating possums and wallabies. The two-year project begins in October and is led by Auckland Council in partnership with Manuhiri Kaitiaki Charitable Trust, Predator Free 2050 Limited, and the Department of Conservation.
If the project is successful, Kawau Island (2,058 hectares) would become New Zealand’s largest inhabited pest free island and one of few worldwide. With our largest city in such close proximity, the Kawau Island project has the potential to become a blueprint for mainland predator eradications in inhabited areas, here and abroad.
Project funds have been provided by Predator Free 2050 Limited, Auckland Council, and the Ministry for Primary Industries through the Tipu Mātoro National Wallaby Eradication Programme.
To help bridge a remaining budget gap, the NZNF set a goal to raise $2 million for the project from private donors.
NZNF CEO, Sarah Lyttle says Kawau Island landholders have donated $500,000 in support of the project, leaving just over $1.5million left to raise.
“It’s a very significant contribution from the community and a wonderful demonstration of local commitment driving game-changing conservation projects.”
Kawau Island is home to several threatened and at-risk native species including North Island weka, kororā and pāteke, as well as many other species of shore and forest birds, including the North Island brown kiwi and kākā.
With 85 percent of the Hauraki Gulf breeding seabird species also considered to be threatened or at risk, predator free islands play a fundamental role in preventing extinction.
In the past 18 months NZNF has raised over $1.8 million from private donors for more than 14 conservation projects. Sarah Lyttle says New Zealanders who donate towards Kawau Island will enjoy both the satisfaction of contributing to the ecosystem’s restoration and the knowledge that this project could ultimately secure the future of critically endangered species.
“Every contribution counts, and we invite anyone and everyone who cares about our biodiversity to be a part of this ground-breaking conservation effort.”
For more information on the Kawau Island restoration project and to support ongoing conservation efforts, please visit the www.nznaturefund.org/kawau
To view the Auckland Council media release about this project please click here.
