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The tranquil and healing nature of three islands in Wellington Harbour will be protected and advanced through a new agreement between their iwi owners and the Department of Conservation.
The Wellington Harbour Management Plan was signed off in parliament last week for Matiu/Somes, Makaro/Ward and Mokopuna Islands, which were returned to Taranaki Whānui in the 2009 Port Nicholson Block settlement.
Mark Te One, the chair of the islands’ kaitiaki board, says the public has responded well to what is happening to the islands.
The plan includes improving the visitor centre on Matiu Island, upgrading or removing existing infrastructure and installing bilingual signage.
Iwi are working with DoC to restore and protect the indigenous fauna and flora, promote the Māori and other cultural heritage of the islands, and make them accessible to visitors and educational groups.
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