Community Group Directory
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Explore the projects and community groups dedicated to protecting Aotea.
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Explore the projects and community groups dedicated to protecting Aotea.
Ahu Moana is a volunteer‑led ecological survey group exploring coastal and marine environments around Aotea / Great Barrier Island. The group helps increase community understanding of local marine biodiversity through regular surveys and shared findings.
The Aotea Trap Library loans free rat traps to residents and community projects across Aotea / Great Barrier Island to help track and reduce invasive pest populations in support of native wildlife protection. Trappers contribute catch data to inform conservation efforts.
Contact: Lotte McIntyre (Coordinator)
Phone: 029 770 5111
Email: aoteatraplibrary@gmail.com
Website: gbiet.org/trap-library
This community‑led trust works with local partners to protect biodiversity, reintroduce lost species, and reduce populations of predators like rats and feral cats. Their mission is to restore ecological balance on Aotea for future generations.
Contact:
Website: gbiet.org
Auckland Council supports ecological projects on Aotea / Great Barrier Island through planning, funding, and partnerships with local community initiatives that protect biodiversity, reduce pests, and restore natural habitats.
Contact:
Phone: 09 301 0101
Email: via council website
Website: aucklandcouncil.govt.nz
The DOC Aotea office helps manage and protect the significant natural and cultural heritage of Aotea / Great Barrier Island, including wildlife conservation, ecological restoration, and public conservation land management.
Contact:
Phone: 0800 275 362
Email: greatbarrier@doc.govt.nz
Website: doc.govt.nz
Glenfern Sanctuary is a regional ecological sanctuary and predator‑managed park in Port Fitzroy where native birdlife and rare species are protected. It offers visitors walking tracks, volunteer opportunities, and a chance to experience restored native forest ecosystems.
Contact:
Phone: 09 4290 091
Email: info@glenfern.org.nz
Website: glenfern.org.nz
Manta Watch NZ is a charitable trust dedicated to research, citizen science, and conservation of manta and devil rays in Aotearoa New Zealand waters. The group compiles sightings data and promotes marine ecosystem awareness and protection.
Website: mantawatchnz.org
Motu Community Nursery grows eco-sourced native plants from Aotea to support local planting, restoration, and landscaping projects. The nursery helps ensure the island has access to locally grown, resilient native species suited to Aotea’s unique environment. The nursery includes a retail site in Medlands and a propagation site in Okiwi.
Contact
Website: motucommunitynursery.nz
Email: MotuCommunityNursery@gmail.com
The Okiwi Community Ecology Project is a grassroots biodiversity initiative in the Okiwi valley that works with local schools, residents, and volunteers to protect native species, monitor pests, and enhance natural ecosystems through habitat restoration and education.
Contact: Jo O’Reilly
Phone: 09 4290 809
Email: jo@envirokiwi.co.nz
Website: www.ecologyvisiongbi.nz
Oruawharo Medlands Ecovision is a community group focused on suppressing invasive pests, restoring dune, wetland, and bush environments, and enhancing local biodiversity around Oruawharo Bay on Aotea / Great Barrier Island.
Contact:
Phone: +64‑29 770 5111
Email: medlandsecovision@gmail.com
Website: omeaotea.co.nz
Tū Mai Taonga is a collaborative project uniting iwi, DOC, local councils, and community groups to restore and protect the forest and ecosystems of the Aotea Conservation Park and surrounding reserves. The initiative celebrates and safeguards the island’s natural taonga.
Contact: Makere Jenner (Programme Lead)
Email: contact@tumaitaonga.nz
Website: tumaitaonga.nz
Windy Hill Sanctuary is a long-running ecological restoration project on the southeast of Aotea / Great Barrier Island focused on integrated pest plant and animal control to protect and enhance native biodiversity. Managed by the Windy Hill Rosalie Bay Catchment Trust, the sanctuary covers hundreds of hectares where invasive pests are controlled and native species such as kererū, kākā, pateke and rare skinks thrive at increasing levels.
Contact:
Website: https://windyhillsanctuary.nz/