The Shorebirds Trust has teamed up with the Tara Iti Golf Club to create a unique NZ sanctuary in our back yard! Our long-term vision for the Te Arai Sanctuary is to improve the coastal biodiversity of the area and restore native vegetation for endangered species.

We are fortunate (or maybe that is unfortunate) to have so many nationally threatened species in such a condensed area! Our first stage in creating this sanctuary has been protecting what is currently here!

A Memorandum of Understanding (“MoU”) was signed December 2020 to facilitate research and teaching collaboration between Massey University and the Shorebirds Trust with the purpose to work together to enhance research in conservation and outcomes that benefits New Zealand’s biodiversity. Under this framework, two initial long-term research studies were launched last 2020/2021 breeding season. Here’s a quick update:

The Shorebirds Trust has provided funding to the Department of Conservation and University of Canterbury for a three year tara iti (NZ Fairy Tern) genetic research project, and we are in the final year! A final report is expected to be received by May 2022 and will be posted on this website. The study aims to:

The Shorebirds Trust received grant funding from Auckland Council, Rodney Local Board, and Foundation North to develop and implement a comprehensive plan for a predator-control buffer zone from Mangawhai to Te Arai. Our future plans include extending the predator control area south to Pakiri North, incorporating also the land behind the Te Arai Links golf courses under development.

Shell Enhancement Project:  The Shorebirds Trust funded DOC’s recent shell patch work which included the development of a new shell patch at both Waipu and Mangawhai.

The Shorebirds Trust has partnered with Boffa Miskell and Department of Conservation (DOC) tara iti (NZ Fairy Tern) Recovery Group (TRG) to develop standard predator control practices that will be adopted by DOC rangers, wardens, volunteers, landowners and community organizations.

The Trust has undertaken a range of initiative since its establishment in 2014, including specific initiatives to…