Motuara Island Bird Sanctuary
New Zealand’s Most Productive Endangered Species Breeding Island
Motuara Island is described as New Zealand’s most productive endangered species breeding island. E-Ko Tours provides the logistical and educational bridge to this sanctuary, where over $40 million has been invested in breeding the Rowi Kiwi, raising its population from fewer than 100 to 700 birds.
The role of E-Ko Tours is connecting visitors to this conservation success story while ensuring that tourism pressure doesn’t undermine the protection that makes these recoveries possible.
The Rowi Kiwi Recovery
The Rowi Kiwi project on Motuara Island demonstrates what’s possible with sustained conservation investment and predator-free sanctuaries. The population has grown from fewer than 100 to 700 birds through programs like Operation Nest Egg and translocation to predator-free islands.
Operation Nest Egg is a conservation program that has contributed to increased populations of Rowi Kiwi. The program works in conjunction with predator-free island sanctuaries like Motuara to create safe breeding environments where kiwi populations can recover.
Motuara Island provides the predator-free environment essential for kiwi breeding success. Without mammalian predators that evolved elsewhere and were introduced to New Zealand, native birds that evolved without such threats can raise chicks to adulthood.
King Shag: Endemic Marine Cormorant
The King Shag (Leucocarbo carunculatus), known in Te Reo Māori as Kawau a toru, is an endemic marine cormorant found only in the outer Marlborough Sounds. This species represents one of the conservation priorities in the region due to its restricted range and specific habitat requirements.
The King Shag is a benthic feeder, diving to catch fish living on or near the seafloor. This feeding specialisation makes the species an indicator of benthic ecosystem health. When King Shag populations thrive, it signals healthy seafloor fish communities.
During breeding season, King Shags require protection from disturbance. Regulations mandate a 100-metre exclusion zone around breeding colonies to prevent nest abandonment. E-Ko Tours operates within these legal requirements, positioning boats to allow observation while maintaining required distances.
South Island Saddleback: Forest Recovery
The South Island Saddleback (Philesturnus carunculatus), known as Tīeke, has been translocated to predator-free islands as part of broader avian recovery efforts. Motuara Island supports one such population.
Saddlebacks are endemic forest birds that were extirpated from the mainland by introduced predators. Island sanctuaries now provide the only habitat where these species can survive and breed.
The presence of thriving saddleback populations on Motuara indicates successful forest ecosystem recovery. These birds require functioning native forest with adequate invertebrate populations and fruiting plants to support their omnivorous diet.
Citizen Science: Bird Counts on Motuara
E-Ko Tours encourages visitors to participate in bird counts, a tradition started on Motuara Island by Sir Joseph Banks. This citizen science participation allows visitors to contribute to ongoing monitoring of bird populations.
Bird counts provide data on species presence, relative abundance, and seasonal patterns. When conducted systematically over time, these counts contribute to understanding whether island populations are stable, increasing, or facing new challenges.
Visitor participation in bird monitoring transforms passive tourism into active contribution to conservation knowledge. The data collected through these citizen science efforts supplements professional monitoring and extends the temporal and spatial coverage of bird observations.
The Hushed Hobbies Trend
In 2026, travel trends show increasing interest in “hushed hobbies”, activities that require patience, quiet observation, and sustained attention. Birdwatching exemplifies this trend, requiring stillness and attention rather than rapid movement through landscapes.
Motuara Island provides an environment suited to this slower, more attentive form of tourism. The predator-free status and recovering bird populations mean that visitors who take time to observe carefully are rewarded with sightings and behaviours that rushed visits miss.
This aligns with regenerative tourism’s emphasis on depth over breadth, encouraging visitors to spend more time in single locations rather than racing through multiple sites collecting brief experiences.
Logistical and Educational Role
E-Ko Tours provides the logistical and educational bridge to Motuara Island sanctuary. This means:
- Transporting visitors to the island while following biosecurity protocols that prevent accidental introduction of predators or invasive plants
- Providing interpretation that explains the conservation history and ongoing management requirements
- Ensuring visitor behaviour aligns with protection requirements
- Contributing financially to ongoing conservation work through tourism revenue
This operational role positions E-Ko as intermediary between conservation requirements and visitor access. Our responsibility is ensuring that tourism contributes to rather than undermines the conservation values that make Motuara significant.
Predator-Free Biosecurity Requirements
Maintaining Motuara’s predator-free status requires absolute biosecurity vigilance. A single pregnant rat reaching the island could establish a breeding population within weeks, undoing decades of conservation investment.
All visitors must follow protocols that prevent accidental transport of predators or invasive species. This includes checking gear, following designated paths, and complying with any additional biosecurity measures required by the Department of Conservation.
E-Ko’s role includes ensuring our vessels and equipment meet biosecurity standards and that visitors understand and follow required protocols.
Conservation Investment Context
The $40 million invested in Rowi Kiwi breeding on Motuara represents sustained commitment to species recovery. This investment has generated measurable results: a population grown from fewer than 100 to 700 birds.
This context is important for visitors to understand. Conservation success at this scale requires resources, expertise, and sustained commitment across decades. Tourism can contribute to funding this work, but the conservation outcomes depend on professional management and long-term investment.
Looking Forward
Motuara Island demonstrates what’s possible when conservation receives adequate resources and protection. The recovered bird populations, the functioning forest ecosystem, the successful breeding programs, these represent achievable conservation outcomes when conditions allow.
E-Ko’s role is connecting visitors to these successes while ensuring that tourism pressure doesn’t compromise the protections that make recovery possible. This requires balancing access with conservation requirements, maintaining biosecurity protocols, and ensuring visitor behaviour supports rather than undermines conservation objectives.
Hub Series Navigation
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Hub 5: Kaitiakitanga and Cultural Tourism in the Marlborough Sounds – Iwi partnerships and mātauranga Māori