Mission - return the tuatara home
Kaupapa
Our mission pays homage to the lost ancestor of the Whangamatā Islands. Home to the tuatara, known as a living fossil, they disappeared in the early 1980’s. Community efforts to save the tuatara have since turned to greater protection of the local ecosystem. Understanding of the importance of biodiversity in the Hauraki Coromandel continues to grow through ongoing education and action. The commitment to monitor, protect and enrich the islands is led by Tunaiti Kaitiaki Roopu.
Every visitor on our tours contributes towards Tunaiti Kaitiaki Roopu - a local guardianship group leading efforts to protect and conserve the Whangamatā Islands and surrounding ecosystem.
We have joined the best of the Hauraki Coromandel tourism industry in a commitment to protect native wildlife and planting of eco-sourced native trees. When booking with us you can also gift a tree to the Williamson Park Wetland reserve and support a Predator Free Hauraki Coromandel.
Whangamatā Island Tours have adopted the Tiaki Promise, a nationwide tourism commitment to care for Aotearoa New Zealand, for now and for future generations.
Whangamatā Island Tours are committed to New Zealand’s Tourism Sustainability Commitment and proud to be “…contributing to the restoration and protection of our natural environment...”