HIKER’S 1 TRIP TO TIRITIRI MATANGI ISLAND

 

On Tuesday 5 April, 10 members of the Hiker’s 1 Group travelled to Orewa where we stayed in a large house overlooking the Estuary.  Our capable leader, Thelma, had organized the trip North and to spend a day on TiriTiri Matangi Island. 

For those who do not know where the Island is, it is in the Hauraki Gulf and accessible by ferry from Gulf Harbour or Auckland.  It is now a wildlife sanctuary for New Zealand’s endemic and native birds.  283,000 trees were planted between 1984 and 1994, regenerating 60% of the Island’s forest.  (Google it and read more about the history and how it was replanted etc).

 

A few of us had been there previously, some staying overnight which I was lucky enough to do some 25+ years ago.  When one stayed all those years ago, life was very basic, we had to take everything over to the Island with us and stayed in the bunk house.  We were asked to help with the planting out of native trees etc while there, which was no hardship at all.  Not much has changed over the years except that the Island now has more trees and birds.

 

We were met at the wharf and given a short talk about the Island and where to go.  We had arranged to have a voluntary guide, Gerhorff, to show us round.  He was extremely knowledgeable in the history of the Island and the trees.  He showed us Penguin Nesting Boxes (unfortunately the penguins only come at night so we didn’t see any).  On the Kawerau Track we saw the Island’s oldest Pohutukawa tree, estimated to be 800 – 1000 years old. 

 

The bird life is amazing, the sounds of the birds were wonderful to hear.  Saw birds come down to the feeding troughs especially set up for them.  Birds such as Hihi (Stitchbird): Kokako (Blue Wattled crow):  Pateke (Brown Teal): Tieke (North Island Saddleback): Toutouwai (North Island Robin): Popokotea (Whitehead): Titipounamu (Rifleman), not forgetting the one and only Tui.  The bird calls have to be heard to be believed.

 

Our tour finished at the Lighthouse which was built in 1864 and is one of the country’s oldest lighthouses and is still in its original condition.  Takahe also roam the Island freely, mostly round the lighthouse and were there to meet us.  When I stayed on the Island, the Takahe was called “Bluey” and went to meet every ferry as it arrived.  Sadly, Bluey is not longer on the Island.

 

All in all a wonderful day out and one I would recommend to anyone who has a day to spare on their way up North or back again.  Just to be able to wander in native bush and hear the birds singing is good for the soul.

 

If anyone would like to know more about the Island Google Tiritiri Matangi Island, there is a lot of information there.

 

Special thanks to Thelma for her wonderful organization of a great trip away and also to Thelma and Kathy for feeding us in such a wonderful way – the food was great, far better than we got at home!!!

 

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• Ten members of Hikers 1 arrive on Tiritiri-Matangi Island Ten members of Hikers 1 arrive on Tiritiri-Matangi Island
• A guide tells us about the fauna and birds on the island A guide tells us about the fauna and birds on the island
• Old Pohutukawa trees cling to rock faces with their strong roots Old Pohutukawa trees cling to rock faces with their strong roots
• North Island Robin North Island Robin
• A very healthy Takahe A very healthy Takahe
• Takahe using his leg to assist Takahe using his leg to assist
• Takahe grazing an open area near the lighthouse Takahe grazing an open area near the lighthouse
• Tuis were at the drinking troughs Tuis were at the drinking troughs
• Tuis were at the drinking troughs Tuis were at the drinking troughs
• A group photo on the steps to the lighthouse A group photo on the steps to the lighthouse
• Tiritiri light was a beacon for many years. Tiritiri light was a beacon for many years.
• A sit down on the homeward journey A sit down on the homeward journey
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