Mainland islands A - Z
Mainland islands aim to protect and restore habitats on the mainland of New Zealand through intensive management of introduced pests. They are called mainland "islands" because they are defined areas that are isolated by fencing, geographical features or, more commonly, intensive management of pests. Mainland islands require constant monitoring to check the effectiveness of management.
Mainland islands are important because they:
- aid the recovery of native forest and wildlife;
- enable the safe re-introduction of native species;
- trial and determine best methods of pest control/species recovery; and
- help to halt the decline of biodiversity.
What mainland islands do we have?
There are five major mainland islands, all of which have uniquely different ecosystems.
- Trounson Kauri Forest Restoration (Northland)
- Te Urewera Mainland Island (East Coast Hawke's Bay)
- Boundary Stream Scenic Reserve (Hawke's Bay)
- Paengaroa Mainland Island (Wanganui)
- Rotoiti Nature Recovery Project (Nelson Lakes National Park)
Karori Reservoir Native Wildlife Sanctuary
Karori Reservoir Native Wildlife Sanctuary is a private initiative led to the setting up of a trust to develop and manage 252 hectares of regenerating native hardwood in Wellington city as a mainland island. The project has a high level of support from the public, local and regional authorities and the department. It is unique in that the entire area will be protected by a predator-proof fence. The department is providing technical expertise and support.
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