Tiritiri Matangi Open Sanctuary

As one of Aotearoa New Zealand’s oldest and most renowned island sanctuaries, Tiritiri Matangi is brimming with native and endemic wildlife rarely seen on the mainland.

Located just an hour from Aotearoa’s largest city, this island sanctuary is home to an unrivalled range of wildlife, thanks to the tireless efforts of volunteers. In conjunction with 300,000 trees being planted, all mammalian predators were eradicated, and many endangered species successfully introduced. These include the flightless takahē, the North Island kōkako, hihi and the tuatara.

Generous funding from the Joyce Fisher Charitable Trust has enabled thousands of students facing socio-economic barriers to gain first-hand knowledge of native and endemic threatened species and conservation in action free of charge. Schools with an EQI of 430+ can apply for our Growing Minds funding for up to 85 students per year.

Tiritiri Matangi’s island ‘classroom’ provides school students the chance to understand ecological processes, the impact of humans on our environment, and learn about New Zealand’s unique biodiversity. Students gain understanding about the importance of conservation and enjoy first-hand experiences of threatened species. The programme provides a range of experiential learning on the motu, and by seeing the results of this community-led project, students are inspired to be kaitiaki in their own local environment.

Enjoy our guided walk identifying wildlife, birdsong and giving school groups an insight into the work done to protect this island.

Click here to book your school visit or visit our website for more information.

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‍“Our trip to this pest-free island in Auckland’s Hauraki Gulf was an unforgettable experience for our students, and it wouldn’t have been possible without the assistance we received…

The trip itself was nothing short of extraordinary. Tiritiri Matangi provided our students with a unique environment to explore and learn about New Zealand's rich biodiversity. Witnessing various endemic bird species, such as tieke and takahe, in their natural habitat was a highlight for our students…

The impact of this trip on our students' learning and appreciation for the natural world cannot be overstated.” - Everglade School

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