Matuku Link

Image credit: Imogen Warren Photography.

Off to a flying start

In November 2016 the Matuku Reserve Trust was able to buy 37 hectares of bush and wetland, naming it “Matuku Link”, after an intensive fundraising campaign. Buying it ensured the safety of the wildlife and forms a vital connection by linking neighbouring eco-restoration projects Ark in the Park; Habitat te Henga and the Forest & Bird reserve Matuku. Over 90% of New Zealand’s wetlands have been drained or filled yet on Auckland’s doorstep is Te Henga wetland, largest in the region.

Matuku Link, bordering the Te Henga wetland, is a large native forest block in Auckland’s Bethell’s valley. It is a home to rare wetland species such as bittern, crakes, pateke as well as to native bats along the river and the raupo. The kauri and the kahikatea are a home to many bush birds like kereru, fantail, tui, ruru, tomtits and recently even a rare robin was seen.

In the first year almost a hundred volunteers worked for 4000+ hours with predator control, enhancing biodiversity by plugging the drains and planting over 1500 trees, shrubs and grasses. And we’re going strong! Coming months we’re trying to finish the nursery, where the next generation of eco-sourced plants will be grown for planting in winter, we’ll be working with Unitec students on the restoration of our barn into a wetland display/education centre, with $85,125 from the Million Dollar Mission for materials.

Helping out in other ways

And nothing is possible without our valued funders, donors and supporters.
To succeed with all of our plans, we’d like you to join us: as a volunteer or as a donor: Kiwibank account 3890 18003 9553 01.
Matuku Reserve Trust is a charitable trust so any donation over $5 is tax deductible. Thank you to our many generous sponsors and individuals who have helped us with in kind or financial contributions! See the full list here.