Editorial‍

In November 1993 the Motutapu Restoration Trust (MRT) deed was signed and in February 1994, thirty years ago, it was registered as a charitable trust. The Trust’s formation was prompted by a number of events, including the very successful restoration project on Tiritiri Matangi in the 1980s, the start of the eradication of brushtail possum and brush-tailed wallaby from Rangitoto and Motutapu in the 1990s, the discussion paper raising the possibility of a wildlife sanctuary on Motutapu and Rangitoto by experts at Auckland University and the development of the Motutapu Restoration Working Plan by the Department of Conservation in consultation with Ngāi Tai ki Tāmaki.

MRT was established to fundraise and support (among other things) the ecological restoration of Motutapu and since 2002 has run a volunteer programme to work towards that goal. The island nursery was opened by HRH the Duke of Edinburgh in March 1992 and planting began in 1993 in and near Remnant Bush 18 and in the Home Bay Forest in 1994. Over 500,000 native trees have since been propagated, planted and protected from serious weed invasion by thousands of volunteers, both young and old, from the community.

Following the 2009 successful eradication of the remaining eight species of animal pests (mice, ship’s rat, kiore rat, Norway rat, rabbit, feral cat, hedgehog and stoat), wildlife and native plants have flourished.

Three decades have seen huge growth in the native forest (in diversity and area) particularly in the Home Bay Forest.

Working with DOC, Ngāi Tai ki Tāmaki, individuals and corporate volunteers, donors and others has been crucial to the success of the ecological restoration achieved to date on Motutapu and will continue to be so. A great deal has happened over the past thirty years but there is still more to be done to realise the potential of the island for native habitat restoration.

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