For 30 years this band of enthusiastic volunteers has been transforming this harsh land through hard graft, a clear and enduring vision and strong collaborative relationships with the wider community.

Restoration of Matakohe-Limestone Island is managed by the Friends of Matakohe–Limestone Island Society (FOMLI), in collaboration with Te Parawhau, Ngātiwai, the Whangarei District Council - and a diverse group of partners and sponsors.

Developed by the community for the community, Matakohe-Limestone Island has been restored from degraded pasture into a regenerating forest habitat – 155,000 trees planted and counting. One of the achievements which has made it a winner of the Environmental action in the community award at the 2019 Environmental Awards.

Predators have been eradicated from the island, so the forest is now able to provide a safe environment for a growing variety of threatened native fauna that have been re-introduced, including kiwi, banded rail, New Zealand dotterel, moko skink and forest gecko.

The island which contains the ruins of one of Whangārei’s earliest industrial sites - the Limestone Island cement works - is also the site of Matakohe Pā and once extensive kumara gardens.

Matakohe-Limestone Island, is a short boat ride from central Whangārei, is open to the public and is a great example of what can be achieved when communities work together to achieve a common restoration and preservation goal.

Watch the Friends of Matakohe-Limestone Island Society video