Across Waiheke, locals are taking action - trapping pests, restoring wetlands, reducing waste and protecting marine life.
Backed by the Waiheke Local Board, these community-led efforts are helping safeguard the island’s environment and the wider Hauraki Gulf / Tīkapa Moana.
1. Restoring wetlands and native habitats
Wetlands across Waiheke are being restored through large-scale native planting and volunteer effort. These ecosystems play a vital role in filtering water, improving biodiversity and creating habitats for native birds, insects and freshwater life.
With support from the Waiheke Local Board, Love Our Wetlands Waiheke, led by the Waiheke Resources Trust, has planted tens of thousands of eco-sourced native plants while bringing together hundreds of volunteers to restore key wetland areas across Waiheke Island.
Join a planting or restoration day:
Love Our Wetlands Waiheke
Waiheke Collective volunteer opportunities
2. Keeping waterways and the marine environment healthy
Protecting the waters surrounding Waiheke Island is another key focus for local environmental work.
The Waiheke Marine Project brings the community together to restore marine habitats and monitor ecosystem health. Activities such as snorkel surveys, pipi monitoring and beach clean-ups help locals learn more about marine life while contributing to the restoration of Waiheke’s coastal ecosystems and the wider Hauraki Gulf / Tīkapa Moana.
Find out more or get involved:
Waiheke Marine Project
3. Supporting pest control and wildlife monitoring
Community pest-control programmes are helping protect Waiheke’s native birds and wildlife.
Through grants from the Waiheke Local Board, groups such as Te Korowai o Waiheke Trust carry out stoat detection and predator monitoring programmes to protect vulnerable species and support the island’s long-term ecological restoration goals.
Volunteers also play an important role through networks coordinated by the Waiheke Collective, including initiatives such as Ratbusters Waiheke and other predator monitoring groups.
Many of these initiatives are supported through the board’s environmental grants programme, helping community groups carry out restoration and biodiversity projects across the island.
4. Reducing waste and building sustainable habits
Workshops and community initiatives are helping Waiheke residents reduce waste and live more sustainably.
Organisations such as the Waiheke Resources Trust and Sustainability Centre run regular workshops on composting, food growing, reuse and waste-wise living, making it easier for the island community to adopt greener habits.
Many of these programmes are supported through the board’s community and environmental grants programme.
5. Planning for climate resilience and sustainable transport
Encouraging active transport and reducing emissions is another way the island community is working toward a more sustainable future.
The Waiheke Local Board supports initiatives like Bikehub Waiheke, a community bike repair and education space run by Cycle Action Waiheke. The hub helps keep bikes on the road, diverts gear from the waste stream and encourages more people to cycle instead of driving around Waiheke Island.
Many of these projects are powered by volunteers and community groups. If you’d like to help restore wetlands, protect wildlife or support environmental initiatives, there are plenty of opportunities to get involved across Waiheke.
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