Our Vision 

Trustee of the Nga Motu Aroha Trust, the late David Williams’s vision was to see the Motukawao Islands to be restored to what they once were. In his last weeks, again he articulated his vision of predator-free and weed-free islands and the reintroduction of the special species that once lived there. The process to get to this point has involved many discussions with Iwi, dedicated conservationist. Forest & Bird, Waikato Regional Council and Department of Conservation. In 2020 the application for the Mo Te Taiao/Jobs for Nature funding was successful and David’s dream is now underway. The Islands of the Motukawao Group are a group of eleven islands, Nga Motu Aroha Trust have taken on the challenge of making these islands pest free with funding provided by Mahi mō te Taiao (Jobs for Nature). The islands are situated in the Hauraki Gulf, and are approximately 3.5-5 km off the west coast of Colville on the Coromandel Peninsula, Aotearoa New Zealand. These islands are steep and rocky in places and covered in regenerating native bush. This group of islands are a breeding ground for approximately 3500 pairs of Australasian gannets which migrate there in October and November. However unusually, these gannets are being seen more regularly and all year round. Mahi mō te Taiao (Jobs for Nature) funding supports biodiversity protection through community-led projects. This project was selected and funding was granted after a rigorous assessment process from more than 400 other worthy applications. This funding contributes to the environmental benefits for our iwi as well as creating opportunities for iwi and communities to build skills and conservation knowledge for our whanau. Kaitiakitanga for our hapu now and into the future.