Press Release: Global Initiative Welcomes Three Iconic New Zealand Islands into the Island-Ocean Connection Challenge
February 20, 2025, Bluff, New Zealand – The international conservation initiative, Island-Ocean Connection Challenge (IOCC), led by Island Conservation, Re:wild, and UC San Diego’s Scripps Institution of Oceanography, proudly welcomes three of New Zealand’s most ecologically rich islands into its ambitious effort to restore and rewild 40 globally significant island-ocean ecosystems by 2030. The addition of these three projects brings the total number of committed island-ocean ecosystems to twenty.
Maukahuka/Auckland Island, Rakiura/Stewart Island, and the Chatham Islands are joining the IOCC as part of a historic collaboration with the New Zealand Department of Conservation (DOC), Māori and Moriori Indigenous communities, and local organizations. This global partnership aims to remove invasive species, safeguard native wildlife, and bolster climate resilience across these vital island ecosystems.
“For millions of years, New Zealand’s native species evolved in isolation, creating a unique and fragile ecosystem,” said Penny Nelson, DOC’s Director-General.
“By joining the IOCC, we are amplifying New Zealand’s groundbreaking island conservation work on the world stage. These islands are living remnants of a prehistoric world, and restoring them will create critical safe havens for species found nowhere else.”
Each island boasts ambitious goals: revitalizing the megaherb landscapes of Maukahuka/Auckland Island, restoring seabird colonies on the Chatham Islands, and making Rakiura a thriving sanctuary for Kākāpō and other native wildlife.
Island Conservation CEO Penny Becker emphasized the significance of these projects:
“We are beyond excited to welcome these New Zealand islands into our global restoration portfolio. Their commitment shows the strength of investing in holistic restoration to make a lasting impact for biodiversity and ocean health.”
The eradication efforts on these islands will be among the most complex and large-scale conservation projects ever attempted in New Zealand. These islands—ranging from 4 to 15 times larger than any previously cleared of invasive species in New Zealand—present unique challenges due to their size, remote locations, extreme weather, and human settlements. With the science, expertise, global collaboration and commitment now confirmed, the partners are confident this vision can be made a reality.
Thousands of island ecosystems have been restored worldwide, with dramatic results for native plants and animals, oceans, and communities. Restoring islands is repeatedly proven to be one of the most successful tools for protecting biodiversity, the foundation for healthy, functioning ecosystems.
The return of seabirds to an island restores the flow of nutrients from the sea to the land through their guano, which feeds the soil and runs off to boost near-shore marine environments. Research shows that islands full of seabirds and free of invasive species have up to 50% more fish biomass and recover from bleaching events up to 4x faster. Robust marine environments are critical for building climate resilience and sustaining island communities dependent on these natural resources.
“It is very exciting to have Maukahuka, Rakiura and the Chatham Islands join the IOCC pledge,” said Wes Sechrest, CEO of Re:wild.
“We are now officially halfway to our global goal of 40 projects joining the challenge by 2030. The restoration projects for each island are ambitious but well-planned and achievable, and will help protect irreplaceable wildlife and mitigate climate change. Islands are extremely delicate ecosystems, but they are equally capable of stunning and dramatic recoveries. When the unique biodiversity on islands thrive, we see the benefits extend into the surrounding ocean, as well as to local communities.”
The New Zealand government has already invested $54 million toward these projects, with an estimated total cost of $202 million. Global fundraising efforts are underway, including a recent $100,000 donation from a New Zealander to support the Auckland Island restoration.
The New Zealand Nature Fund (NZNF) is managing the fundraising efforts, offering international donors the opportunity to support these pioneering conservation projects.
To contribute to the restoration of these vital ecosystems, visit: nznaturefund.org/iocc
Resources:
Video, Photos and B-roll
Interviews
Media Contacts:
Island Conservation
Sally Esposito, Strategic Communications Director, sally.esposito@islandconservation.org
Re:wild
Devin Murphy, associate director of media relations
Dmurphy@rewild.org
New Zealand Department of Conservation
media@doc.govt.nz
About the IOCC: The Island-Ocean Connection Challenge is a global initiative led by Island Conservation, Re:wild, and Scripps Institution of Oceanography, dedicated to restoring and rewilding 40 island-ocean ecosystems by 2030 through collaborative conservation efforts.
Project Summaries and Quotes:
Maukahuka/Auckland Island, located 465km south of Bluff, is a renowned World Heritage Site and nature reserve. Dubbed the ‘seabird capital of the world’, it’s a hub for breeding seabirds, including four albatross species. The island’s rich biodiversity (including over 100 species found nowhere else) is at threat from mice, pigs and feral cats. Planning is well underway for the eradication of the three invasive mammals which is estimated to cost $78 million. This project is led by DOC in partnership with Ngāi Tahu.
“These southern lands shaped us and our culture, so the species that belong to them are part of our identity, and our relationship with them became one of the hinges of our culture. That’s why they’re so important to us. Our names for those species, the names of the places where they occur, and the heritage imbued in them, became central elements in our cultural identity.”
SIR TIPENE O’REGAN onz New Zealand Ngāi Tahu kaumātua (elder / leader), Educator, Historian, Businessman and Academic
Rakiura/Stewart Island, New Zealand’s third largest island, is 90% public conservation land including Rakiura National Park. Home to a sizable tokoeka brown kiwi population, it’s surrounded by many pest-free islands with thriving tītī/shearwater and other seabird populations. Te Puka Rakiura Trust, Ngāi Tahu and DOC are working together towards the goal to eradicate feral cats, rats, possums, and hedgehogs from the island. The vision is to restore the island for the return of kākāpō and other wildlife previously found there.
“Rakiura is an island that has a history of inter-relationships that give people – both Iwi (Māori tribe), and Pākēhā (European New Zealanders) – a sense of heritage and identity. Ngāi Tahu being the Iwi (local tribe), and Tangata Whenua, (local people), culturally, spiritually, hold a Whakapapa (genealogical ancestry) connection to the island of Rakiura. Ngāi Tahu implement their rangatiratanga (sovereignty) to Rakiura, by expressing their commitment as Kaitiaki (guardians) of Rakiura. By way of genetically enhancing the taiao (environment), we can restore the island’s mauri (spiritual life force) as far back as possible to its original natural state.”
TANE DAVIS Predator Free Rakiura Engagement and Advisory Group Member
Chatham Islands, located 800km east of Aotearoa, is a haven for native birds and plants found nowhere else like the Chatham Islands black robin, taiko/magenta petrel and Chatham Islands albatross. The IOCC pledge is to remove feral cats from Rangihaute/Rangiauria/Pitt Island and complete the first phase of removing possums and feral cats from Rēkohu/Wharekauri/Chatham Island. The overall goal is to remove possums, feral cats and rats from the whole archipelago.This project is led by the Chatham Islands Landscape Restoration Trust with Hokotehi Moriori Trust and Ngāti Mutunga o Wharekauri, supported by DOC, Chatham Islands Council and PF2050 Ltd.
“Some of our birds, for instance, are found nowhere else in the world. You can only see them here, so tourism will be another spin-off from our efforts.”
TOM LANAUZE Moriori elder, Trustee of Hokotehi Moriori Trust, Trustee of Moriori Imi Settlement Trust
Background Information:
Signatories to New Zealand’s IOCC pledge are the Department of Conservation, Te Rūnanga o Hokonui, Te Rūnaka o Awarua, Te Rūnaka o Waihōpai, Te Rūnaka o Ōraka Aparima, Te Puka Rakiura Trust (Predator Free Rakiura), Hokotehi Moriori Trust, Ngāti Mutunga o Wharekauri Iwi Trust and Chatham Islands Landscape Restoration Trust. Predator Free NZ Trust and Predator Free 2050 Ltd are supporting partners.
Island Conservation‘s mission is to restore islands for nature and people worldwide. We are a United States-based 501(c)(3) charitable organization that collaborates with local communities, government management agencies, and conservation organizations to holistically restore islands by removing introduced, damaging invasive species and accelerating the recovery of native plants and animals. We utilize innovative technology and techniques to work more efficiently and showcase the many benefits of holistically restored islands for biodiversity, climate resilience, ocean health, and sustainable development across the globe. Visit us at islandconservation.org.
Re:wild protects and restores the wild. We have a singular and powerful focus: the wild as the most effective solution to the interconnected climate, biodiversity and human wellbeing crises. Founded by a group of renowned conservation scientists together with Leonardo DiCaprio, Re:wild is a force multiplier that brings together Indigenous peoples, local communities, influential leaders, nongovernmental organizations, governments, companies and the public to protect and rewild at the scale and speed we need. Learn more at rewild.org.
