One hundred and twenty years of agriculture almost completely destroyed the natural bush of the island. However, between 1984-1994 volunteers planted on Tiritiri approx. 300 thousand trees grown from seeds found on the island. They also re-introduced local species of birds, including critically endangered takahē. Now, Tiritiri Matangi is entirely a scientific reserve and is one of the greatest successes in New Zealand’s nature and wildlife conservation.

Hauraki Bay, New Zealand, 2015.