Three of New Zealand’s most ecologically-rich islands have joined an ambitious, globe-spanning project to restore and rewild 40 globally significant island-ocean ecosystems by 2030 through a series of initiatives to remove invasive species and safeguard their native wildlife.

With the addition of these three projects – spanning New Zealand’s Maukahuka (Auckland) Island, Rakiura (Stewart) Island, and the Chatham Islands – the total number of committed island-ocean ecosystems falling within the mission has been brought to twenty.

The ambitious project is being spearheaded by the international conservation initiative, Island-Ocean Connection Challenge (IOCC), led by Island Conservation, Re:wild, and UC San Diego’s Scripps Institution of Oceanography. 

The New Zealand project marks an historically significant moment and a collaborative effort bringing together the New Zealand Department of Conservation, Māori and Moriori Indigenous communities, and local organisations on a mission to remove invasive species – including cats, mice, and wild pigs – from the three islands to safeguard the region’s 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, the Department of Conservation’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.”

East island boasts ambitious goals: revitalising the megaherb landscapes of Maukahuka, restoring seabird colonies on the Chatham Islands, and making Raikura a thriving sanctuary for Kākāpō and other native wildlife.

The eradication efforts on these islands will be among the most complex and large-scale conservation projects ever attempted in New Zealand while each presents unique challenges due to their size and their remote locations, extreme weather, and human settlements. However, with the science, expertise, global collaboration and commitment now confirmed, the project’s partners are confident the vision can be made a reality.

Penny Becker, CEO of Island Conservation, said: “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.”

Thousands of island ecosystems across the globe and outside of this project have been successfully restored over the course of the last decade, with each success story delivering dramatic results for native plants and animals, oceans, and communities. In fact, restoring islands has been 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, for example, 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 indicates that islands full of seabirds and free of invasive species have up to 50% more fish biomass and recover from bleaching events up to four times 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 towards these projects, with an estimated total cost of $202 million. Global fundraising efforts are now underway to support the Auckland Island restoration project.

Situated 465km south of Bluff, Maukahuka Island 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. It’s this rich, native biodiversity that is under threat from mice, pigs, and feral cats. The eradication of these invasive mammals is estimated to cost $78 million.

Sir Tipene O’Regan, onz, New Zealand Ngāi Tahu kaumātua, educator, historian, businessman, and academic, said: “These southern islands 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 are 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.”

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