Matuku Link, a community-led wetland restoration project in Te Henga, West Auckland, has been recognised on the global stage, winning one of only three Gold Star Awards in the world at the Wetland Link International (WLI) Star Wetland Centre Awards, announced during the UN Wetlands COP in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe. Matuku Link will be celebrating this win with open days on the 22nd – 30th November – all welcome.
The Star Awards are the world’s only accreditation recognising excellence in wetland education and visitor engagement. Matuku Link joins centres in Australia and Hong Kong as the only Gold Star winners, selected from 39 recognised centres worldwide.
Judges praised Matuku Link’s volunteer-led model, strong educational focus, and deep community roots. “Matuku Link has achieved something extraordinary,” says Connor Walsh, Chair of the Awards Judging Panel. “They’ve shown that a small local centre, powered by passion and purpose, can stand shoulder to shoulder with the world’s best.”
With only 9% of New Zealand’s wetlands remaining, Matuku Link is working to shift perceptions from “smelly swamps” to “biodiversity beauties.” Wetlands are vital ecosystems, filtering water, storing carbon, and providing habitat for rare species like the matuku-hūrepo (Australasian bittern), tuna kuwharuwharu (longfin eel), and pāteke (brown teal).
Founded in 2016 after a $2.04 million fundraising campaign, Matuku Link is a charitable trust run by five trustees and powered by a dedicated team of volunteers. Since purchasing its wetland and bush property in Te Henga, the group has transformed an old barn into a purpose-built Wetland Education Centre, constructed two native plant nurseries, and with support from Jobs for Nature, created accessible boardwalks and trails through Auckland’s largest mainland wetland.
Every year, Matuku Link also sees over 1,000 school aged children visit through their education programme, school holiday programme, and family-oriented events. Matuku Link’s hands-on education programme focuses on real hands-on science within the wetland. By fostering curiosity and connection, Matuku Link is helping inspire the next generation of kaitiaki to protect New Zealand’s last remaining wetlands.
Matuku Link will be celebrating this achievement with guided tours and an exhibition on wetlands during open days on the 22nd –30th November. All welcome, see below.
Celebrate Our Gold Star Award with an Open Week at Matuku Link
Matuku Link has been recognised on the world stage, winning a Gold Star Award at the Wetland Link International Awards – one of only three wetland centres in the world to be given this award! We’re celebrating with a week of open days from the 22nd to the 30th November with fun activities, daily tours, and informative displays.
Discover our expo showcase, sharing the story of how a small community of volunteers transformed an old barn and wetland into an award-winning education centre. Learn about our ongoing conservation work – restoring habitats, propagating native plants, and protecting threatened species like the matuku-hūrepo (Australasian bittern), banded kokopū, and pāteke (brown teal).
Enjoy a cuppa and home baking at our pop-up café, browse our gift shop, and connect with the dedicated volunteers and supporters who make this all possible.
Daily tours – Guided Wetland Tours at 11am & 1pm ($5 per person)
Weekend extras – Free eel talk at 10:30am on Saturdays and Sundays. Local artist Derek March will be talking about his impressive 35 meter long mural Tuna Heke on 22nd and 23rd November at 12.30pm as part of the Waitākere Open Studios.
Whether you’re a nature lover, photographer, or simply curious, this is your chance to experience our hidden wetland sanctuary up close, celebrate community-led conservation in action, and be part of protecting Aotearoa’s last remaining wetlands.
Get tickets for the guided walks here: https://matukulink.org.nz/product/wetland-tour/
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