The islands in Whangamata Bay have had a varied and at times controversial history. Pests and humans have taken their toll over the years. The island’s bird and wildlife were losing the battle, they needed help. It came via Auckland University. In 2007 an Auckland intern student, James Russell contacted local iwi: Uru-Nga-Wera and Ngāti Pu to see if he could conduct a survey to help complete his conservation thesis. He wanted to know why Oi-Grey Faced Petrals were no longer returning to Hauturu (Clark Island). They originally thought it was rats or stoats or both. It was neither. Mice were the culprits, thousands of them eating seedlings and baby Ois. Strange because mice are bad swimmers and this was an island albeit close to land at low tide but still over water. How did the mice get there? One theory was that they had been pet mice that someone didn’t want any more and they were deposited on the island. If accurate perhaps a case of eco terrorism.
Almost 20 years later and James Russell is a world-renowned conservationist and with the help of Doc and local iwi, the islands are now pest free with ongoing monitoring. The other benefit of a growing population is that with more people living beach side in Whangamata, supplying the local rodent population with food, the attraction of a long swim seems to have lost its appeal. While offshore fishing still takes its toll especially on ocean feeding birds the wildlife is slowly returning.
It’s island neighbour Whenuakura has also been declared a Wildlife Sanctuary under the Wildlife Act meaning the many local and international visitors are forbidden to leave their kayaks.
The future for these islands is after many years a lot brighter, and locals are full of hope that they will return to their glorious past. Tunaiti Kaitiaki Roopu have many other projects in operation, pine tree removal in the southern beach of Otahu where you can see the mahi from the beach, 6yr possum and rat control elimination and much more.
To see everything Tunaiti Kaitiaki Roopu do visit www.tunaitikaitiakiroopu.co.nz
