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PEOPLE
&PLACE
OUR
IMPACT
Nau mai, Haere mai
Tū Mai Taonga is an Iwi Māori-led conservation project on Aotea (Great Barrier Island). It is unique in its indigenous Ngāti Rehua Ngātiwai ki Aotea-led approach — underpinned by Te Ao Māori principles that connect people and place.
Our Mission
The project involves removing rodents and undertaking one of the world's largest-ever feral cat eradications on an inhabited island. Working collaboratively with whānau, landowners, local trapping groups, community organisations and partner agencies, this work is helping to protect and restore Aotea's unique ecosystems as we work towards a Predator Free Aotearoa.
Restoring People & Place
Tū Mai Taonga not only gives the people of Aotea the opportunity to return home and restore the island through science and tikanga-based (traditional) conservation - it also uplifts and empowers its whānau to reclaim what has been lost: language, culture, economic sustainability, and the health of the environment.
By expanding its mātauranga (Māori knowledge) and working together to restore these treasures, the project sets a course for generational change for its mokopuna (grandchildren). Ultimately, Tū Mai Taonga strives toward its end goal - a future where both people and place thrive.
Where We Work
Tū Mai Taonga's operational area spans northern Aotea and the Broken Islands. The map highlights the areas currently covered by our predator control, monitoring and restoration programme.
Our Approach
Tū Mai Taonga combines mātauranga Māori & western science, technology and community action to support predator control, monitoring and restoration across the motu. Working alongside whānau, hāpori, local trapping groups, landowners, community organisations and partner agencies, Tū Mai Taonga is contributing to a collective effort towards a Predator Free Aotearoa.
Protecting Companion Cats on Aotea
Safe Cat is a community-led initiative that helps companion cat owners protect their pets while supporting efforts to protect Aotea's unique native wildlife.
As conservation groups across the island work together to control feral cats, the Safe Cat programme helps ensure companion cats can be easily identified and distinguished from feral cats.
Through the Aotea Cat-alogue, cat owners can register and update details about their companion cats, including microchipping, desexing and identification information.
Safe Cat also provides practical advice on desexing, microchipping, collars, containment, enrichment and reducing roaming, helping keep cats safe and healthy while reducing impacts on native species.
The programme is supported by a number of organisations working together to protect Aotea's natural environment through a community-led approach.
Visit the Safe Cat website to learn more, register your cat, or update your cat's details.
FREE Desexing
For the month of July, Tū Mai Taonga is helping make desexing easier than ever for companion cat owners across Aotea.
Desexing offers numerous benefits for both cats and the wider community. It helps prevent unwanted litters, reduces roaming and fighting behaviour, and supports the long-term health and wellbeing of your cat.
With breeding season approaching, now is the perfect time to have your companion cat desexed.
To help remove barriers, additional veterinary capacity has been arranged throughout July, making it easier for companion cat owners across Aotea to access FREE desexing services.
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FREE Cat Taxi Service
Need help getting your cat to the vet?
Our FREE Cat Taxi service can collect your companion cat, take them to their appointment, and return them home safely afterwards.
Simply let us know when booking if you'd like to use the Cat Taxi service.
As a thank you for taking part in the July Desexing Drive, participating households will receive:
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A $25 grocery voucher for their first companion cat desexed
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An additional $10 grocery voucher for each additional companion cat desexed
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A FREE breakaway collar for each companion cat desexed
Vouchers can be used at participating local stores.
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Aotea Cat-alogue
The Aotea Cat-alogue helps identify companion cats and distinguish them from feral cats.
Already registered?
Check that your cat's details are up to date.
Not registered yet?
Register your companion cat using the form below. Once registered, you can update details such as desexing, microchipping, ownership changes and relocation at any time.
Every registered companion cat receives a FREE breakaway collar to help identify them as a companion cat.
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