Looking east from the landing area, Little Barrier Island
Little Barrier is one of New Zealand's most valuable nature reserves. Its Maori name Te Hauturu-o-Toi means 'resting place of the winds'.
The island is a specially protected nature reserve, where human impacts are kept to a minimum and extreme care is taken to keep the island free of introduced animals and plants.
You need a permit to visit this thickly forested island that is home to over 350 native species of plants. It’s an incredible place to view wildlife.
Te Hauturu-o-Toi/Little Barrier Island was New Zealand's first Nature Reserve. It is one of the last remnants of primeval New Zealand, and as such is an invaluable refuge for rare and endangered plants, birds and animals.
Getting to Te Hauturu-o-Toi/Little Barrier Island can be difficult, but you will be rewarded by the experience of seeing rare and endangered plants, birds and animals not often seen on the New Zealand mainland. There are no visitor facilities on the island.
There is no accommodation or other visitor facilities available on Te Hauturu-o-Toi/Little Barrier Island.
It is possible to visit nature reserves but visitor numbers and movements are strictly regulated. You must apply for a permit to visit Te Hauturu-o-Toi/Little Barrier Island and you are likely to be prosecuted if you land illegally.
Find out more about the pest-free warrant recommended for commercial vessels and concessionaires visiting pest-free islands in the Hauraki Gulf.
Find out about volunteer opportunities on the Hauraki Gulf islands.
View a video following a DOC ranger as she releases tuatara into the wild and check out Te Hauturu-o-Toi/Little Barrier Island Meet the Locals videos.
Find businesses that are DOC-approved to provide activities and services on Te Hauturu-o-Toi/Little Barrier Island Nature Reserve.
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