Thriving forest, alive with birdsong – that was the vision of Mike Alexander when he started the restoration of Motuarohia Island in the 1970s. The restoration at the time attracted Maggie’s Garden Show: now Minister of Conservation, she couldn’t be enticed back in May for the release of pōpokatea to the pest-free island.

The Eastern Bay of Islands Preservation Society invites all residents and visiting families in the Eastern Bay of Islands to take part in a fun project for one week from Wed 6th January to Wed 13th January.

Two iconic Northland organisations offer one unique experience! 

At the end of April 2016, Northland’s tall ship the R. Tucker Thompson is partnering up with us to offer a two day, one night eco sailing experience in the beautiful Bay of Islands.

Welcome to Native Watch! This is the first article of a new series that will introduce you to some of the precious species of flora and fauna that we find in the Bay of Islands.

Read on to find out more about the much-loved New Zealand dotterel. To receive these articles straight to your inbox in our quarterly newsletter, you can sign up to our mailing list here.

Our summer volunteer programme is underway! Christmas parades, the Project Island Song Urupukapuka Family Fun Day and Waitangi Day. We've also got our boatie bag campaign at boat ramps, marinas and on the water.

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Toutouwai monitoring

An October survey of nesting and breeding activity of toutouwai (North Island robin) on Moturua Island revealed positive signs. Nesting pairs were found, one of the indicators being the male taking food to the female who remains on the nest. Unbanded birds were also recorded, most likely offspring from last year’s breeding. Guardian’s volunteers were joined by members of Puketi Forest Trust and the Ornithological Society (OSNZ) for the survey.

The 2015 Guardians of the Bay of Islands Inc AGM was held in Paihia on October 21.The meeting was followed by a captivating presentation from Dr Isabel Castro, Massey University Behavioural Ecologist on her study of hihi behaviour, her kiwi research and exciting new technologies.

This formidable team of conservation dogs – fondly known as the Rat Pack – has spent four days scouring the seven islands of Ipipiri for rodents. They are working alongside Project Island Song to support the mission to create an archipelago of pest-free island sanctuaries for all to enjoy.

And the great news? No pests found at all!

Thank you everyone. The planting at Homestead catchment and Frenchman's Line was the most complicated and ambitious planting GBOI has ever attempted but even so we managed to put in more than 950 plants in one day – a record for enhancement planting. With such an enthusiastic team you far exceeded my most hopeful expectations. Thank you again.

Rod and his team of enthusiastic helpers are underway withthe 2015 planting season. The new planting area recently fenced in the Ihumatea catchment on Urupukapuka Island has now been sprayed off by Rod's team - resplendent in their new spray suits provided for our volunteer programme by ASB Community Trust. The site is now ready for the mass public planting on Sunday 24th May, supported annually by Fullers GreatSights.