Aerial view of Mana Island
The steep-sided and seemingly flat-topped Mana Island is a distinctive feature of Wellington’s west coast.
Mana Island’s name is an abbreviation of Te Mana o Kupe ki Aotearoa, which acknowledges the achievements of Kupe, the legendary 12th Century Polynesian navigator, who discovered this land — Aotearoa.
Explore the history of Mana Island Scientific Reserve and the conservation work being done there.
Explore the islands's historic sites and visit the woolshed museum. Follow walking tracks to the historic lighthouse site, the "concrete gannets" and enjoy the dramatic views.
You can not stay overnight on the island.
Find out how to get to the reserve, and review the rules and regulations that must be followed once there.
The historic woolshed on Mana Island had been restored but what’s a woolshed without sheep? Luckily, some students came up with a solution. Watch this video to learn what it was.
In this video you'll learn about the takahē. Once thought extinct, they were rediscovered in 1948. Though still highly endangered, some takahē survive on offshore islands like Mana Island, near Wellington.
Mana Island lies 3km off the Wellington west coast and has been free of all introduced mammals since mice were eradicated in 1989.
Mana Island Scientific Reserve factsheet (PDF, 195K)
The return of kakariki to Mana Island (PDF, 297K)
The return of fairy prions to Mana Island (PDF, 91K)
NZ weather
New Zealand topographic maps are available from DOC Visitor Centres
Friends of Mana Island website
Media releases:
Shore plover breeding on Mana Island
Second wave of shore plover to Mana Island
Safety information
Always contact the nearest visitor centre for the latest information about facilities and conditions.
Volunteer for the Friends of Mana Island planting programme (every weekend, May to July). Contact Brian Paget on +64 4 472 4827 or contactus@manaisland.org.nz
