About the Society

Registered as a charity with the Charities Commission since 2007 (CC10250) the Motuora Restoration Society (Inc) is an entirely voluntary group set up to undertake the restoration of the forest and to assist with reestablishing native birds, reptiles and invertebrates on this island in the Hauraki Gulf.  We work in partnership with local iwi and the Department of Conservation who look after the campsite and bach while we manage the restoration project.

A brief history

In 1987-88, the Department of Conservation (DOC) carried out surveys of both the plant and bird life on the island, and Simon Chamberlin, who had lived on the island for many years, put forward the idea of Motuora as a predator-free habitat.

The idea was taken up by the Mid North Branch of Forest and Bird, which set up the Motuora Action Group to lobby for combined Forest and Bird and DOC support for the restoration of Motuora.  A public meeting in Warkworth in September 1990 attended by various community groups agreed that a restoration project should be initiated, and trial plantings and upgrading of the perimeter fencing were begun.  Eventually the need for an independent group to support the project became apparent, and the Motuora Restoration Society Inc was formed at a public meeting in Warkworth in March 1995.

Our principal objects

Our constitution lists the following objects:

(a) To develop Motuora Island and its marine environment as a publicly accessible sanctuary for New Zealand native flora and fauna;

(b) To endeavour to provide financial, material and physical support for work at Motuora Island;

(c) To heighten public awareness of the existence and role of Motuora as an open sanctuary;

(d) To take an active role in the formulation and promotion of appropriate policy recommendations to statutory and regulatory authorities having jurisdiction over Motuora Island

Our Committee

As an Incorporated Society, we have a written constitution which sets out how the Society will be managed.

We are required to hold an AGM each year in April or May when an organising committee will be elected including a chairperson, secretary, treasurer and ordinary members.

Annual financial reports and chairperson’s reports are presented at the AGM.