• Home
• About Waiheke
• Sights & Activities
• Accommodation
• Travel/Transport
• Island Maps
• Food and Wine
• Contact Us

• › Community
• › Conservation
• › Media Releases
• › Services

Conservation on Waiheke

The Department of Conservation (DOC) and Auckland Regional Council both manage park lands and public reserves on Waiheke Island. Reserves managed by DOC include the Stony Batter Historic Reserve, Matietie Historic Reserve and Te Matuku Bay Cemetery and Scenic Reserves.

Waiheke Island is a taonga (treasure) with many special places. National reserves like those on Waiheke protect natural, historical and cultural heritage for all New Zealanders, and help to safeguard the bio-diversity of the planet.

While visiting Waiheke Island it is important to respect the environment. If you are planning a bush walk or water activities in the Haurarki Gulf Marine Park, please read the details below.

Looking after the reserves

Following is a list of things to remember while on Waiheke in order to help with conservation. Non compliance with these conditions may result in prosecution.

• Do not take dogs or other animals into any of the reserves or into the Stony Batter walkway. They will threaten wildlife and farm animals.
• Do not light fires.
• Take your rubbish away with you - follow DOC's 'Pack in - Pack out' code
• Do not remove or disturb any artifacts or other historic remains.
• Do not camp on the reserves - there is a DOC campground for those wishing to camp
• If a walkway crosses private farmland, leave gates as you find them. Follow the orange marker posts and do not disturb stock or farm operations.

For more information contact DOC Auckland Visitor Centre, phone +64 9 379 6476 or visit www.doc.govt.nz.

Hauraki Gulf Marine Park

The Hauraki Gulf Marine Park protects in perpetuity the natural and historic features of the Gulf that are of national and international importance for their quality and the presence of wildlife and plants not found anywhere else in the world.

The Park consists only of public land - reserves and conservation areas administered by the Department of Conservation, and the foreshore and seabed and the sea. Local authorities can add their reserves to the Park while retaining ownership and control, and protected private or Maori land can be included in the Park at the owner's request.

Care and beware:
You are welcome to explore and enjoy the Hauraki Gulf and its islands but please observe the following rules:

Nature and reserves

• Do not land without a permit
• Do not anchor boats close to the shoreline

For all conservation islands

• Check your boat for rats and other unwanted stowaways before leaving the mainland
• If part of your boat is closed in, keep a bait station with fresh rat poison or a baited trap on board
• Before going ashore check bags and stores for rodents, and clothes and shoes for weed seeds
• Do not bring dogs, cats or other pets onto island reserves or their beaches
• Do not light fires, except at designated barbeque sites
• Take your rubbish home with you - most conservation islands do not have rubbish disposal facilities

For more information visit www.doc.govt.nz

Information supplied courtesy of the Department of Conservation