Our Story

Mamaku Point Conservation Reserve is a very special place located on the north-eastern coastline of Rakiura Stewart Island, Aotearoa New Zealand.

The rugged 172-hectare headland contains an extraordinary variety of flora, including some of the oldest native podocarp forest in the country, and is a thriving habitat to over 181 native species, including 26 native bird species, 154 native plant species, long tailed bats, invertebrates, marine mammals, and a thriving population of kiwi.

The reserve is protected by a predator-proof fence that extends across the 2.1km neck of the headland, and an extensive biosecurity grid both inside and outside the predator-proof fence. Both the fence and the biosecurity grid are monitored real-time using a combination of VHF, cellular and satellite communications to ensure that any biosecurity breaches are detected immediately.  

History

Prior to November 2000, the land that is now Mamaku Point Conservation Reserve was farmed by the Turnbull family, who ran sheep and cattle on the seaward faces but left the higher inland areas as native bush. 

In November 2000 the property was purchased by the Dancing Star Foundation, who had a vision to establish a world class bioreserve for native flora and fauna, and subsequently built the predator proof fence and cleared the property of pest mammals.

In November 2017 the property was purchased by Roy and Rachel Thompson, who established the Mamaku Point Conservation Trust to further the conservation of the property and open it up for school camps and other visitors.

Name

The name Mamaku Point is taken from a prominent landmark within the reserve close to Nathan’s Island, with Mamaku being the Maori name of the black tree fern (Cyathea medullaris), which are found on the reserve.