A team of Auckland Council Pools and Leisure Centre members has raised $500 to support the restoration of Motutapu Island in the Hauraki Gulf.
The gym members joined 2000 other competitors in the Partners Life DUAL off-road running and mountain bike race on Motutapu and Rangitoto islands in March.
Funds raised from the event will help create a safe habitat for native birds thanks to the preservation and reforestation efforts of Motutapu Restoration Trust.
Joining the race to save an island
Partners Life Dual and Auckland Council Pools and Leisure teamed up to sponsor 20 gym members to participate in the event.
Five successful teams of four were selected from members of the Tepid Baths, and from the Moana-Nui-a-Kiwa, Takapuna and Manurewa leisure centres.
The all-woman team from Moana-Nui-a-Kiwa, supported by fitness team leader Shaun Herman, committed to raising $1 for every kilometre they ran in training, raising $500 in a huge show of support.
Creating a safe habitat for our native species
The team’s effort was recognised in a letter of thanks from Motutapu Restoration Trust chair Brett Butland.
“The donation will contribute towards planting more trees and bringing more wildlife, including kiwi and takahē, back to this special island,” he says.
Rangitoto and Motutapu islands are completely pest free, which means there are no non-native pest animals like rats, mice, stoats, possums and feral cats. Since achieving its pest-free status, Motutapu has become home to kiwi, takahē, whitehead, tīeke (saddleback), pāteke, korimako (bellbird), kākāriki and shore plovers.
Learn more about volunteering or becoming a Friend of Motutapu.
