Our Mission and Our Vision

Our mission is to protect native species through the eradication of rats and feral cats, to re-introduce species lost to the island, and to work towards building an ecology-based economy for Aotea | Great Barrier.
Our vision is to bring kokako back to Aotea.

Aotea | Great Barrier Island

Great Barrier Island is situated approximately 100 kilometres off the north-eastern coast of Auckland, New Zealand. It is the fourth largest island in NZ at 28,000 hectares and has a permanent population of approximately 1000 people. Te motu o Aotea is the ancestral home of Ngati Rehua-Ngatiwai ki Aotea who are the mana whenua; tangata whenua and people of the land. Two thirds of the island is managed by the Department of Conservation, who ensure protection of the unique ecosystems and actively protect three rare and endangered species; the Chevron Skink (only found on Aotea), Pateke (brown teal) and the takoketai (black petrel). With large areas of regenerating forest, the island is considered a stronghold for the North Island Kaka and Kereru (wood pigeon). The island has remained free of many of the introduced predators that have plagued mainland NZ forests. There are no deer, ferrets, stoats, possums, hedgehogs, or feral goats, making the island unique ecologically and a strong contender for a pest free island sanctuary, should this be acceptable to the community.

Aotea Ecology

What we do

Find out about our organisation, mission, our methods, and the results of our decades of advocacy. Learn More →

Take Action

Ready to take the next step? You can become a contributor to our cause, or participate yourself. Find Out How →

Inspirational locals from Aotea | Great Barrier Island share their experiences of restoration projects and why they Love, Protect and Restore their environment.