ABOUT THE LITTLE BARRIER ISLAND (HAUTURU) SUPPORTERS TRUST
Little Barrier Island (Hauturu) Supporters' Trust (The Trust) was established in 1997, with the primary objective of supporting and contributing to the conservation of the indigenous values of Little Barrier Island (Hauturu) and its significance as a wildlife sanctuary of international importance.
While the Trust has its own specific objectives, it also coordinates its activities with the Department of Conservation (DoC) and liaises closely with DoC officers responsible for the island. Wherever possible, it provides practical support for targeted initiatives that demonstrably benefit Hauturu.
It does this by raising funds to initiate or assist selected projects on the island, particularly where habitat or inhabitants are threatened. For example, since its inception, the Trust has funded important weed control and eradication programmes, a significant aerial survey, and an urgently needed extension to the tuatara enclosures.
Project funding comes from subscriptions and donations from the Trust's supporters, from grants, sponsorships and bequests. The Trust keeps its supporters and partners informed through its newsletter, "Hauturu".
The Trust will continue to select projects that will be of direct benefit to Hauturu's endangered animal and plant species. Immediate aims range from further weed control, to targeted species protection and research, and educational programmes.
The Trust presents the interests of the island in appropriate forums, in order to facilitate both discussion and the dissemination of information about its status and special needs. In particular, the Trust strongly supports and promotes the need for security of the island and the protection of its flora and fauna from animal and plant pests. Human impact is necessarily kept to a minimum.
Education is seen as a key role by the Trust. Ensuring that the public is aware of the significance of Little Barrier Island and understands why it is worthy of protection, is of paramount importance.
Educational programmes can therefore offer corporate entities a worthwhile and high profile opportunity to identify with valuable conservation ethics, in relation to Little Barrier Island issues.
Did you know: Hauturu is NOW RAT FREE. (Declared on the 11th June, 2006)
Rat eradication was carried out in 2004. A final island-wide survey in 2006 showed it to be a success.