North Island Saddleback thrive in Bay of Islands, marking 10 years since reintroduction
Tīeke are a notable success story of New Zealand conservation.
Highly vulnerable to predation by rats and stoats, by the early 1900s, tīeke had been reduced to a single population of a few hundred birds on Taranga / Hen Island off the coast of Bream Bay.
Thanks to a series of translocations from the 1960s onwards, there are now 18 island populations, with six more within predator-fenced mainland sanctuaries, and an estimated total population size of more than 7000.
The tīeke is one of seven animal species reintroduced to Ipipiri by Project Island Song since 2012, with 13 more identified for future releases.
The project is currently running an online raffle to raise funds to keep the islands pest-free and support the return of more taonga species.
Prizes are a two-night luxury stay at Eagles Nest in Kororāreka / Russell, a private sunset yacht cruise with Cool Change Charters, and a light pendant designed by David Trubridge.
'Putting these into a raffle provides a great opportunity for people to support our local wildlife, and give themselves the chance to win some fantastic prizes,' Rumsey said.
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NZ Herald
30-07-2025
- NZ Herald
Bay News: International acts to headline Bay of Islands Jazz and Blues Festival
He first toured Australia in 2002 and was awarded a slot at the 2005 Byron Bay Blues and Roots Festival. From Japan for the Bay of Islands Jazz and Blues Festival is the trumpet-playing Chihiro Yamazaki and the Route 14 Band. Chihiro Yamazaki (aka Anna) plays trumpet with the Route 14 Band from Japan, described as a new-generation instrumental group. They play 'Tokyo Brass Style' and have had over 20,000 in CD sales during their indie era. They now belong to the major Universal Music label. From Australia comes Dale Robbins, Dave MacMillan, Lost in Transit and Acid Bleed, an original five-piece band that plays a virtuoso blend of Hot Gypsy Swing Jazz with a Latin Groove. Their repertoire covers a broad range from familiar standards to plucky originals. Performing at the Bay of Islands Jazz and Blues Festival for the first time is Sonorous, a powerhouse blues rock trio from Taupō. The international line-up of talent is blended with New Zealand's contribution to the jazz and blues scene with long-time crowd favourites Continuum, the nine-piece band from Rātana Pā, Whanganui, and Mark 'Fatt Max' Hill, born and raised in London and whose musical exploits span over 20 years which included 'years of dodging community diet classes'. Northland's musical contribution is in the form of the familiar Jam Sandwich, The Legacy Band, Quartz and the perennial Nairobi Trio. Among the first-time performers at the festival is established musician Grant Haua. He has been the primary singer/songwriter/guitarist on eight studio albums and two live albums over the years. He said one thing led to another and he ended up meeting percussionist Michael Barker [Neil Finn, John Butler Trio] and they hit it off straight away and formed Swamp Thing. For the following eight years, they wrote and toured regularly. Also performing at the festival for the first time is Sonorous, a powerhouse blues rock trio from Taupō, featuring Lucian McDermott (lead vocals and guitar), Khani Te Mete (bass), and Cooper Paalvast on drums. The Out of Office group are first-timers too. They are four Auckland-based musicians who describe themselves as 'white collar who frequently sneak out of after-work drinks to improvise and jam with a wide repertoire of jazz, funk and soul classics'. Bay of Islands organisations celebrate win At the recent Northland Regional Council Environment Awards, two Bay of Islands organisations took out two prizes. Project Island Song, based in Russell, won the Environmental Action to Protect Native Life award and the Bay of Islands International Academy, based on the Purerua Peninsula near Kerikeri, won the award for Environmental Action in Education. Project Island Song began with a small group of enthusiastic Bay of Islands locals in 2003. Their combined dream was to return the islands of Ipipiri, in the eastern Bay of Islands, to an archipelago of sanctuaries thriving with native habitat, lush vegetation and alive with the dawn chorus. Children from the Bay of Islands International Academy learning that what comes up, must come down. Seven of the major islands, with their associated islets and rock stacks, make up what is known as Ipipiri in the eastern Bay of Islands. In the past 16 years, since 2009, Project Island Song volunteers have planted 40,000 native trees on several of the islands. Over 42,000 endangered species have been reintroduced. The islands have enjoyed pest-free status since 2009, which has allowed the wildlife and the bush to thrive. On your bike. Children learn to ride in a safe environment at the Bay of Islands International Academy. Between 2012 and 2022, Project Island Song volunteers have reintroduced eight species of birds, reptiles, invertebrates, and plants, and plan to reintroduce another 13 vulnerable species. They partner with local hapū Ngāti Kuta and Patukeha, the Department of Conservation, the Guardians of the Bay of Islands and private landowners. The Bay of Islands International Academy is a public school located on the Purerua Peninsula, 15 minutes northeast of Kerikeri. It opened in January 2013 in the existing buildings and grounds of Te Tii School. The school was given the new name to reflect the community's 'aspirations of international-mindedness'. Receiving the Environmental Action to Protect Native Life award at the recent Northland Regional Council Environment Awards. From left: William Fuller representing the Guardians of the Bay of Islands, Rana Rewha for Ngāti Kuta, Marara (Binnie) O'Neill for Patukeha, and Laura Meyer of DOC. The academy honours the historical linkages and the wāhi tapu (sacred place) of the local hapū of Ngāti Rehia and Ngāti Torehina. The stated mission is to build a 'vibrant community with shared values and positive reciprocal relationships'. The aim is for ākonga (learners) to support personal growth, natural curiosity and cultural and global competency. The school motto is 'Kia ako kia tupu tahi tātou, Learn and Grow with us'. The principal, Chris Bell, said it was a privilege for the school to receive the award for Environmental Action in Education. 'This is a great credit to our dedicated students and teachers who are passionate about our place in the taiao,' he said. Teaching them young. Two volunteer children digging on one of the islands of Ipipiri for Project Island Song. The school offers bilingual te reo learning and has a wide range of activities. For the holiday programme, these activities include turning cardboard tubes into a chicken in bird creations or making trains. There is also making pizza and bread for afternoon tea, fishing for eels in the Waipapa River and (also in Waipapa) inline skating and putting 'hidden' veges into muffins to name but a few of the activities on offer.
Scoop
19-05-2025
- Scoop
Glowworms, Luxury And Manaakitanga: Rotorua's Ambitions For A Brighter Future
Article – Laura Smith – Local Democracy Reporter Industry leaders and data show a tourism town 'on the up' May 15, 2025 Rotorua, the birthplace of New Zealand tourism. Iconic for its history, culture and geothermal wonders it's also an adventure seeker's playground. The city has worked to rebuild from the effects of closed borders and a heavily criticised emergency housing approach. In the wake of the country's biggest visitor industry event Trenz, held this month in the city, Local Democracy Reporting looks at Rotorua's path to tourism recovery. Five years ago lives changed as the Covid-19 pandemic took hold and the world's people stayed home. For Rotorua, which relies heavily on tourists, it was a blow. But now, the New Zealand Prime Minister says the city is 'on the up' and an iconic local attraction is welcoming more guests than it did pre-pandemic. The city was in the spotlight this month when it hosted Trenz, a huge tourism trade show event which brought hundreds of international travel buyers and media delegates together to meet New Zealand's leading operators. During his speech at the event, Andrew Wilson, chief executive of tourism organisation RotoruaNZ, said Rotorua was 'transforming', had experienced a 'genuine resurgence' in recent years and had a forward momentum with 'no intention of slowing down'. Investment into 'world-class experiences, sustainable practices, and meaningful partnerships' that reflected its manaakitanga and ambitions firmly set Rotorua up for the future, he said. This included the recent announcement of the luxury Noho Lakeside Hotel to be built alongside the lakefront Wai Ariki Hot Springs and Spa. Wilson also announced the 'iconic ecotourism' operator Redwoods Treewalk would in September launch its 'breathtaking new journey' – Redwoods Glowworms. In a 70m-long 'eco-cave' featuring waterfalls and rock formations, visitors would be suspended above reflective water and surrounded by more than 5000 glowworms, 'creating a living constellation'. It was the product of about five years' planning and research. The business partnered with Expedition Earth in 2021 to create the attraction and Treewalk co-founder Bruce Thomasen thought the bioluminescence particularly complemented its David Trubridge-lit nightwalk. Thomasen said the business was up 16% on its 2019 visitor numbers. Innovation was continuous, he said. Recent additions included the award-winning Trubridge Horoeka walk-in lantern in 2023 and the 8m-wide Ruru lantern in 2024. Thomasen said Rotorua was a core reason New Zealand was an attractive destination for visitors. He said geothermal attractions, culture, lakes and mountain-bike offerings resonated with visitors. View from the top Speaking to media at Trenz, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said the conversation about Rotorua had turned away from Fenton St and emergency housing. The last of the final seven contracted emergency housing motels in Rotorua are expected to close by the end of this year. Rotorua Mayor Tania Tapsell previously said she hoped they upgraded and returned to being 'quality tourism motels'. The city had a 'great future' and was 'on the up', Luxon said. Local Democracy Reporting asked Luxon for specific examples of how the Government was enabling tourism growth in Rotorua. 'We're doing everything we can.' Luxon listed visa settings changes, overseas promotion including to Australia and meeting with the Indian tourism industry. A record 32 Indian operators attended TRENZ. Luxon said the country of 1.5 billion had a middle class of 455 million who wanted to travel. Wilson said he supported newly reduced requirements on translated visa document certifications, particularly for how it impacted Chinese and Indian visitors, with the Indian market growing after about eight years' work. By the numbers RotoruaNZ's head of business growth, insights and innovation, Justin Kimberley, reckoned it was hard not to feel positive about tourism in the city. He believed upcoming developments would attract new visitors and year-on-year visitation was growing. Daily Rotorua visitor population during the autumn school holidays was up 13.4% on last year at 22,138. International visitors grew 36.8%. Room for growth? Yes, but he believed it delivered a great product and would continue to deliver an 'amazing experience'. February 2025 monthly visitor card spending was up 114% on February 2019 at $39.15m, compared with a 116% lift nationally. Annual visitor spending in Rotorua to February 2025, based on tourism electronic card transactions, was $441 million according to MBIE data, a record high, but only when not taking inflation into account. [Over the past six years, since pre-Covid, New Zealand has experienced 26.6% inflation.] The Auckland market was the target of recent $93,985 Robe Trip campaign, promoting Rotorua as a spa, massage and 'robe' destination, and Kimberley said this was 'starting to change the perception' of those looking to holiday in Rotorua. In September 34% of Aucklanders surveyed considered Rotorua for a holiday, which rose to 73% this month, he said. Daily commercial accommodation stay units available are back to 66% of pre-pandemic levels in Rotorua and nationally 80%. Kimberley said the accommodation landscape in Rotorua had shifted in a positive direction. The number of hotel stay units had increased by about 130 since 2018, which resulted from more 'higher-value visitors'. It increased by 5.2% last year to reach 1974 in March of a total 4529 units. Kimberley said the decline in capacity of motels and other types like backpackers was driven by 'obvious reasons' such as longer-term accommodation use. Most if not all high-quality motels and backpackers still offered visitor accommodation, he said, and there was no strong demand for low-quality and low-price offerings any more. Kimberley pointed to a recent Howarth hotel sector report he believed showed encouraging signs. Hotel occupancy for the past three months was at 82% in Rotorua, up from about 77% in 2024 and down from about 88% in 2019. Other positive signs were the Noho announcement and how motels and hotels were re-investing in their properties, 'many with quite major room refurbishments'. How operators pitched themselves to the world Ngāi Tahu Tourism owns both Agrodome and the National Kiwi Hatchery in Rotorua, a place general manager Jolanda Cave called a key destination for international visitors. Manaakitanga and manuhiri experience was Ngāi Tahu Tourism's focus since the pandemic. Cave said it moved the hatchery to the Agrodome and increased offerings there, such as the farmers markets. Cave said the newly reduced requirements on translated visa document certifications came at a 'fantastic' time as the sector looked to grow. The Chinese market was about 60% what it was pre-Covid nationally by the end of last year, and was in the top five markets for Ngāi Tahu. It was up from 37% for the year ending December 2023. 'What we are seeing is that China is still very strong for those businesses that have always been predominant for Chinese markets such as Agrodome here in Rotorua…' That market was growing for the southern iwi entity's South Island businesses, she said, as Chinese manuhiri behaviours changed to be more independent, 'wanting that value-added experience, wanting something quite unique.' Her takeaway from talking with others and hearing the heads of industry at Trenz was that the next 12 months looked 'extremely positive'. Wai Ariki Hot Springs and Spa general manager Debbie Robertson called the event 'phenomenal' and said it showcased what the business and Rotorua offered. Buyer engagement was positive and she said there was a buzz about the spa. The luxury offering opened in June 2023. About 75% of its market was domestic and she expected the international portion to grow. Robertson said its point of difference was its 'elevated experience' and 'cultural infusion'. It wasn't just Rotorua attractions finding value in the event. Chris and Dean Savage, at Dive Tatapouri, offer reef ecology tours and swimming with wild stingray near Tairāwhiti Gisborne. Chris said at Trenz they reconnected with buyers, made new beginnings with others and supported the Gisborne community by promoting it as a destination. 'It's a journey but once you get there you don't want to leave.' Hawke's Bay's Gannet Safaris Overland general manager Sophie Phillips said with great bookings, great agents and 'awesome engagement', it was its best Trenz yet. The region was being included in more itineraries, she said. Ecotourism was a drawcard and she said people were 'engaged with the uniqueness of the tour' showcasing the largest most accessible mainland gannet colony in the world and its recently launched sunrise tour. More people were looking for 'wow factor' visuals and that was what they offered, she said, as well as unique and more exclusive 'higher-end' tours. Dunedin offered three locally themed ice cream flavours: Emerson's London Porter and Spicy Peanuts; No8 Distillery Gin and Plum sorbet; and Southern Clam and Tomato Shooters. Enterprise Dunedin destination manager Sian Sutton said it was a bold, fun way to stand out and stick in the minds of event-goers. Group effort Wilson said Trenz went 'fantastically well'. RotoruaNZ was among eight regional tourism organisations (RTOs) involved in a newly announced trade initiative targeting the North American market. It was also involved in a partnership of 15 RTOs aiming to accelerate visitor return from key markets including Australia, North America and China. Total international visitor arrivals into Auckland International Airport are at 84% of 2019 levels. Tourism and Hospitality Minister Louise Upston voiced the intention at Trenz to turn the $44 billion-generating tourism sector from the country's number two export to number one. Five years on from the start of the pandemic, Rotorua is showing signs it's trending in the right direction to help make that happen. – LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
NZ Herald
15-05-2025
- NZ Herald
Rotorua tourism ‘on the up' as city eyes future with investment and planned growth
The city was in the spotlight this month when it hosted Trenz, a huge tourism trade show event which brought hundreds of international travel buyers and media delegates together to meet New Zealand's leading operators. During his speech at the event, Andrew Wilson, chief executive of tourism organisation RotoruaNZ, said Rotorua was 'transforming', had experienced a 'genuine resurgence' in recent years and had a forward momentum with 'no intention of slowing down'. Investment into 'world-class experiences, sustainable practices, and meaningful partnerships' that reflected its manaakitanga and ambitions firmly set Rotorua up for the future, he said. This included the recent announcement of the luxury Noho Lakeside Hotel to be built alongside the lakefront Wai Ariki Hot Springs and Spa. Wilson also announced the 'iconic ecotourism' operator Redwoods Treewalk would in September launch its 'breathtaking new journey' - Redwoods Glowworms. In a 70m-long 'eco-cave' featuring waterfalls and rock formations, visitors would be suspended above reflective water and surrounded by more than 5000 glowworms, 'creating a living constellation'. It was the product of about five years' planning and research. The business partnered with Expedition Earth in 2021 to create the attraction and Treewalk co-founder Bruce Thomasen thought the bioluminescence particularly complemented its David Trubridge-lit nightwalk. Thomasen said the business was up 16% on its 2019 visitor numbers. Innovation was continuous, he said. Recent additions included the award-winning Trubridge Horoeka walk-in lantern in 2023 and the 8m-wide Ruru lantern in 2024. Thomasen said Rotorua was a core reason New Zealand was an attractive destination for visitors. He said geothermal attractions, culture, lakes and mountain-bike offerings resonated with visitors. View from the top Speaking to media at Trenz, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said the conversation about Rotorua had turned away from Fenton St and emergency housing. The last of the final seven contracted emergency housing motels in Rotorua are expected to close by the end of this year. Rotorua Mayor Tania Tapsell previously said she hoped they upgraded and returned to being 'quality tourism motels'. The city had a 'great future' and was 'on the up', Luxon said. Local Democracy Reporting asked Luxon for specific examples of how the Government was enabling tourism growth in Rotorua. 'We're doing everything we can.' Luxon listed visa settings changes, overseas promotion including to Australia and meeting with the Indian tourism industry. A record 32 Indian operators attended TRENZ. Luxon said the country of 1.5 billion had a middle class of 455 million who wanted to travel. Wilson said he supported newly reduced requirements on translated visa document certifications, particularly for how it impacted Chinese and Indian visitors, with the Indian market growing after about eight years' work. By the numbers RotoruaNZ's head of business growth, insights and innovation, Justin Kimberley, reckoned it was hard not to feel positive about tourism in the city. Advertise with NZME. He believed upcoming developments would attract new visitors and year-on-year visitation was growing. Daily Rotorua visitor population during the autumn school holidays was up 13.4% on last year at 22,138. International visitors grew 36.8%. Room for growth? Yes, but he believed it delivered a great product and would continue to deliver an 'amazing experience'. February 2025 monthly visitor card spending was up 114% on February 2019 at $39.15m, compared with a 116% lift nationally. Annual visitor spending in Rotorua to February 2025, based on tourism electronic card transactions, was $441 million according to MBIE data, a record high, but only when not taking inflation into account. [Over the past six years, since pre-Covid, New Zealand has experienced 26.6% inflation.] The Auckland market was the target of recent $93,985 Robe Trip campaign, promoting Rotorua as a spa, massage and 'robe' destination, and Kimberley said this was 'starting to change the perception' of those looking to holiday in Rotorua. In September 34% of Aucklanders surveyed considered Rotorua for a holiday, which rose to 73% this month, he said. Daily commercial accommodation stay units available are back to 66% of pre-pandemic levels in Rotorua and nationally 80%. Kimberley said the accommodation landscape in Rotorua had shifted in a positive direction. The number of hotel stay units had increased by about 130 since 2018, which resulted from more 'higher-value visitors'. It increased by 5.2% last year to reach 1974 in March of a total 4529 units. Kimberley said the decline in capacity of motels and other types like backpackers was driven by 'obvious reasons' such as longer-term accommodation use. Most if not all high-quality motels and backpackers still offered visitor accommodation, he said, and there was no strong demand for low-quality and low-price offerings any more. Kimberley pointed to a recent Howarth hotel sector report he believed showed encouraging signs. Hotel occupancy for the past three months was at 82% in Rotorua, up from about 77% in 2024 and down from about 88% in 2019. Other positive signs were the Noho announcement and how motels and hotels were re-investing in their properties, 'many with quite major room refurbishments'. How operators pitched themselves to the world Ngāi Tahu Tourism owns both Agrodome and the National Kiwi Hatchery in Rotorua, a place general manager Jolanda Cave called a key destination for international visitors. Manaakitanga and manuhiri experience was Ngāi Tahu Tourism's focus since the pandemic. Cave said it moved the hatchery to the Agrodome and increased offerings there, such as the farmers markets. Cave said the newly reduced requirements on translated visa document certifications came at a 'fantastic' time as the sector looked to grow. The Chinese market was about 60% what it was pre-Covid nationally by the end of last year, and was in the top five markets for Ngāi Tahu. It was up from 37% for the year ending December 2023. 'What we are seeing is that China is still very strong for those businesses that have always been predominant for Chinese markets such as Agrodome here in Rotorua...' That market was growing for the southern iwi entity's South Island businesses, she said, as Chinese manuhiri behaviours changed to be more independent, 'wanting that value-added experience, wanting something quite unique.' Her takeaway from talking with others and hearing the heads of industry at Trenz was that the next 12 months looked 'extremely positive'. Wai Ariki Hot Springs and Spa general manager Debbie Robertson called the event 'phenomenal' and said it showcased what the business and Rotorua offered. Buyer engagement was positive and she said there was a buzz about the spa. The luxury offering opened in June 2023. About 75% of its market was domestic and she expected the international portion to grow. Robertson said its point of difference was its 'elevated experience' and 'cultural infusion'. It wasn't just Rotorua attractions finding value in the event. Chris and Dean Savage, at Dive Tatapouri, offer reef ecology tours and swimming with wild stingray near Tairāwhiti Gisborne. Chris said at Trenz they reconnected with buyers, made new beginnings with others and supported the Gisborne community by promoting it as a destination. 'It's a journey but once you get there you don't want to leave.' Hawke's Bay's Gannet Safaris Overland general manager Sophie Phillips said with great bookings, great agents and 'awesome engagement', it was its best Trenz yet. The region was being included in more itineraries, she said. Ecotourism was a drawcard and she said people were 'engaged with the uniqueness of the tour' showcasing the largest most accessible mainland gannet colony in the world and its recently launched sunrise tour. More people were looking for 'wow factor' visuals and that was what they offered, she said, as well as unique and more exclusive 'higher-end' tours. Dunedin offered three locally themed ice cream flavours: Emerson's London Porter and Spicy Peanuts; No8 Distillery Gin and Plum sorbet; and Southern Clam and Tomato Shooters. Enterprise Dunedin destination manager Sian Sutton said it was a bold, fun way to stand out and stick in the minds of event-goers. Group effort Wilson said Trenz went 'fantastically well'. RotoruaNZ was among eight regional tourism organisations (RTOs) involved in a newly announced trade initiative targeting the North American market. It was also involved in a partnership of 15 RTOs aiming to accelerate visitor return from key markets including Australia, North America and China. Total international visitor arrivals into Auckland International Airport are at 84% of 2019 levels. Tourism and Hospitality Minister Louise Upston voiced the intention at Trenz to turn the $44 billion-generating tourism sector from the country's number two export to number one. Five years on from the start of the pandemic, Rotorua is showing signs it's trending in the right direction to help make that happen.
