Aotea Kauri Survey - Community Info Session
2025-11-26 17:00 - 18:30 (Pacific/Auckland) | Claris Conference Centre
Aotea kauri survey to begin in Summer 2025/2026
A community meeting will be held at the Claris Conference Centre to discuss this project on Wednesday, November 26, at 5:00 p.m.
A survey of kauri health will soon begin on Aotea, Great Barrier Island, to determine the extent of both
the soil-borne pathogen Phytophthora agathidicida, the causal agent of kauri dieback disease, and
symptomatic kauri.
Phytophthora agathidicida was first detected on Aotea in 1972 and is current distribution on the island
is patchy. It is not known to be present in the Northern area of Te Paparahi. DOC has conducted various
tree health assessments and soil testing over the years. In 2020, the Auckland Council conducted aerial
surveillance from helicopters, followed by ground-truthing.
The survey is being done in partnership with the Department of Conservation (DOC) and Ngāti Rehua
Ngātiwai Ki Aotea Trust. It will include the forested area of Aotea, encompassing Auckland Council,
Public Conservation Land, and contiguous private properties, who will be contacted directly soon.
To understand kauri health at a population level across Aotea, this project will combine mapping of the
kauri population from aerial imagery and data from field surveys. Recent learnings from the 2021
Waitākere Survey and 2024 Hūnua Survey will be used to inform the survey design.
Randomly selected kauri totaling 540 will be surveyed for their health and have soil samples collected
for laboratory analysis. The random selection of 540 trees will give us a baseline prevalence of tree
health and pathogen presence or absence at a landscape scale. This will create a cohort of monitored
trees that can be consistently re-measured to understand change in tree health.
This survey will inform future management decisions in kauri forests on Aotea, protecting them for
future generations.

Stargazing with Good Heavens
2026-02-22 21:00 - 22:30 | Medlands Beach, Oruawharo Bay, 0991, New Zealand
Did you know that Aotea Great Barrier is a Dark Sky Sanctuary? It is a fantastic place for stargazing! The Good Heavens team offer seaside group stargazing experiences. Passionate and local Good Heavens guides will illuminate you on the magical display above and share astronomical facts and stellar stories. They bring a telescope, binoculars and good cheer. So lean back comfortably in a moon chair to look up and see the thousands of stars visible in a Dark Sky Sanctuary.

Other dates and private experiences available.
Cost: $65 child/$130 adult
More info: https://goodheavens.co.nz/

Aotea Ecology Festival - Te Taiao Connect
2026-03-28 | Claris Conference Centre
Te Taiao Connect – Connecting the People, Land, Sea & Sky of Aotea.
With displays and demonstrations from local conservation groups and a selection of inspiring visiting and local guest speakers. More details to come.
When: Saturday 28th March 2026
Where: Great Barrier Island Sports Club, Claris
On behalf of Aotea Ecology Vision
