What's special about Great Barrier Island
Aotea
Aotea (the Maori name for the island) is the ancestral land of the Ngati Rehua hapu of Ngati Wai. The following pepeha (proverb) about the island dates back to the arrival of the Aotea canoe:
Aotea Whakahirahira
Aotea Taonga Maha
Aotea Utanganui
(Aotea, the island of renown
Aotea, the island of many treasures
Aotea, the island of the bountiful cargo.
The island was one of the first places in New Zealand to be settled by Maori and there are many settlements, gardens and sacred sites.
Kauri dams and relics of the past
Whaling, mining, logging of kauri and other timber trees, and early farming settlements are all part of Great Barrier's European history. Many sites can be visited, such as the huge kauri dams in the Kaiarara River, that tell the story of bygone eras on the island. Most of the island's kauri forests were destroyed, but there are a few remnants and some areas have been replanted. The island is also notorious for its shipwrecks.
Biodiversity stronghold - no possums!
The island's forests are the largest in New Zealand known to be free of the ravaging possum. Native plants thrive, including endemic species of hebe and Great Barrier tree daisy. The island is also a haven for rare and endangered birds, including the ground-burrowing black petrel and the brown teal, one of the world's rarest ducks. Dotterel breed along east coast beaches. The island is also a stronghold for the raucous kaka, banded rail and fern birds. And there are over 13 species of lizard, including the rare chevron skink.
Conservation research
Great Barrier Island is an ideal place to carry out conservation research because of the large number of rare species present. Current DOC research projects involve black petrel, brown teal, chevron skinks and Bryde's whales.
Dealing to fire and pest problems
The two biggest conservation threats on the island are runaway fires and invasion of animal and plant pests. A large part of DOC's work on the island involves fire control, removing unwanted weeds and making sure animal pests like the possum, ferret and stoat don't arrive on the island. Rangers also maintain tracks and campsites and provide visitor information.
Rare species living side by side with local residents
Local residents have a special role to play in looking after their natural environment. Many islanders are forming care groups and undertaking conservation projects on their own land. Other times there are clashes between development and conservation interests. Eco-tourism holds a key to the island's economic and conservation future.
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