Nature Category

Recent news, insights & articles from around the Island.

A fungal affair: Hauturu’s walking dead caterpillars

HST Trustee and mycology expert Peter Buchanan introduces a fascinating fungus named after the island – a fungus that creates zombie caterpillars! Birds and trees are often the first things…

How islands can be a catalyst for conservation efforts

Our new co-ordinator, Ngaire Wallen has returned from a visit to the Chatham Islands. In this piece, she draws parallels with some of the South Pacific’s most notable island sanctuaries….

Kākāpo moved to Fiordland following habitat trial on Hauturu

Ten years after Kākāpō were reintroduced to Hauturu-o-Toi/Little Barrier Island, they are being relocated back to the Southern islands. This update from Kākāpō Recovery explains the challenges and learnings of…

Hihi: remarkable survivors 

Te Hauturu-o-Toi / Little Barrier Island has a unique ability to support vulnerable species in a way that almost no other location can. Is it because of its predator and…

Beneath the Waves: The Need for Marine Protection around Hauturu

By Dr Nick Shears Te Hauturu-ō-Toi is one of Aotearoa’s most treasured and protected islands—so much so, it is a great privilege to even be able to venture onto the…