All entry onto the Nature Reserve (and private land) requires an entry permit which is issued by the Department. This is managed on a case-by-case basis outside the cap of 600 day visitors per year.
Contact Maungauika/North Head Office for information about permits.
Te Hauturu-o-Toi/Little Barrier Island was New Zealand's first nature reserve. It's one of the last remnants of primeval New Zealand, and as such, is an invaluable refuge for rare and endangered plants, birds and animals.
Approximately 40 species of rare or endangered birds, 14 reptile and 2 bat species, and more than 400 native plants flourish in this pest-free sanctuary. Among many success stories, the beautiful hihi/stichbird, which would have been extinct if not for this island, thrive and are able to be translocated to other pest-free island sanctuaries.
Learn more about Te Hauturu-o-Toi/Little Barrier Island nature.
Te Maraeroa Flat on Hauturu was extensively used for cultivation by Māori then Pākehā. The ground has never been disturbed by powered machinery so it has high archaeological value.
Features that can be seen today include stone mounds and alignments associated with early Māori gardening, the remains of the first caretaker's house constructed in 1898, and the grave of caretaker Robert Hunter-Blair.
| DOC Customer Service Centre | |
|---|---|
| Phone | 0800 275 362 |
| aucklandnorthhead@doc.govt.nz | |
| Address | DOC offices |