Chatham Islands - Northern Bullers Albatross, chick, and button daisies in the foreground..

Predator Free Chatham Islands

Introduction

A community-driven conservation project, Predator Free Chathams is restoring the islands’ precious biodiversity for now and for the future.

The Chatham Islands are located 800 km south-east of Wellington. There you'll find some of the world's most threatened bird and plant species.
 
Learn more about the Chatham Islands habitats and protected areas

One of the challenges our native species face is introduced predators. Our species evolved in a world without mammalian predators. This makes them both unique and poorly equipped to face introduced predators.

The focus is to rid the islands of the three key predators:

  • possums
  • rats
  • feral cats.

This is an ambitious goal that requires a lot of work, however, the long-term benefits for our islands and our people make it worth it.

Eradicating these predators could protect more endangered species than anywhere in Aotearoa. The islands are home to nearly 10% of the country's threatened and at-risk species.

Visit Chatham Islands Landscape Restoration Trust for more information

Chatham Islands joins the Island Ocean Connection Challenge (IOCC)

New Zealand has joined the international IOCC and pledged to restore and rewild, three islands, including Chatham Islands. These islands, also including Maukahuka/Auckland Islandand Rakiura/Stewart Island, are globally significant.

Chatham Islands Landscape Restoration Trust, Hokotehi Moriori Trust, Ngāti Mutunga o Wharekauri and and DOC have all committed to the challenge representing Predator Free Chatham Islands.

The challenge is led by international conservation groups:

  • Re:wild
  • Scripps Institution of Oceanography
  • Island Conservation.

The challenge aims to restore at least 40 island ocean ecosystems from ridge to reef by 2030.  

These three groundbreaking island restoration projects are the largest and most challenging our country has ever tried. It's also a step towards achieving our nationwide predator free goal.

Restoring these islands will have global impact by:

  • protecting against the impacts of climate change
  • saving unique plants and animals from extinction
  • supporting iwi and imi to restore their ancestral lands
  • unlocking new methods and growing the toolbox for island eradication and restoration projects around the world. 

Joining the IOCC benefits New Zealand by connecting us to international donors who will work with us to raise an expected $137M for these important conservation projects.

New Zealand Nature Fund (NZNF) will play a key role by managing donated funds on behalf of the projects.

Donate today and leave an island legacy with global impact.

Visit NZNF to learn more and donate