Tiritiri Matangi Island

Day three of our New Zealand trip and we were off on a planned trip to Tiritiri Matangi Island. First we had to get there … leaving from our accommodation in Pukekohe before 0700 I had planned a relaxed drive into Auckland city with plenty of time to park, get to our destination and find coffee before departure at 0900. An earlier accident on the highway made it a challenge and the trip very nearly a no go. We got there with a matter of minutes to spare desperate for a dunny, only to find not just road works but also major works underway with the ferry terminal and most shops shut. We were very relieved to finally make it on board and ready for the short journey to island.  

Back to the sanctuary however. Tiritiri Matangi Island is a conservation success story. With a 120 year history as a farmed island it has since been replanted in native trees and shrubs with a comprehensive pest eradication program implemented as well. Located just 30km north east of Auckland it is easily reached via ferry for day trips and it is also possible to stay on the island overnight in the Department of Conservation huts http://www.tiritirimatangi.org.nz/staying-on-tiri. The island now boasts the release of eleven native species of threatened birds on island and the sanctuary has become a haven for many other species as well.

New Zealand Bellbird

For a birdwatcher and photographer like myself, the prospect of seeing some of these species in a wild, non-enclosed, yet accessible habitat was only dreamed about. Too often I had thought that they would pass into obscurity and extinction before I ever got the chance to see them. So this opportunity (a birthday gift from my sister) was very special. My thanks to the volunteers and department of conservation for their passion and commitment to develop and maintain an incredible sanctuary.

Stitchbird

Saddleback

Tui

North Island Robin

New Zealand Fantail

Takahe

Takahe

Stitchbird

Red-crowned Parakeet -  Kākāriki

Variable Oystercatcher

Auckland's Wild West Highlights

If I remain organised, the next few entries will describe a planned road trip around New Zealand over five weeks. We hired our car through Enterprise and found the whole transaction very easy. A free shuttle collects you from the terminal and transfers you within a few minutes to their depot. A lucky upgrade to a small SUV means that we have more space for our belongings and camera gear for the next few weeks. Our first few nights are at a home stay near Pukekohe, which whilst still under development, was very welcoming and well worth the stay. 

Day one proper we headed north towards Auckland's wild west coast. (It should be noted that the first part of the itinerary was chosen from the NZ Pure website). We chose to avoid the worst of the peak hour traffic. In doing so we headed northwest with the first stop at Muriwai Beach which is renown for its surf and black sand. At its southern end, Otakamiro Point is the site of one of this country's few mainland Gannet breeding colonies. With free parking available and an easy ten minute walk we were soon out on the cliffs to experience first hand, an up close and personal encounter with nesting Australasian Gannets.

View of Muriwai Beach from Otakamiro Point

View from walkway towards Gannet Colony

The gannet colony is actively breeding between the months of August and March (often longer), on this particular day we were able to experience and photograph all the stages of breeding: Territorial defence; courtship rituals; nest building; incubation; newly hatched and juvenile birds. Some were exercising their wings in readiness for the long hours at sea.

Next on the agenda was the narrow and winding drive through the Waitakere Ranges to the Arataki Visitor Centre. Here we were able to enjoy views of the subtropical forest which included tree ferns, stands of Kauri and stunning views. After a picnic lunch we were Heading south towards our next target - the Manukau Heads Lighthouse, jutting out from the tip of the peninsula, located in the Franklin district. The lighthouse is one of only a few in New Zealand that is open to the public and the views were amazing.

View from Arataki Visitors Centre

Manukau Heads Lighthouse