Te Paki Reserves and North Cape

Wetlands of the Te Paki region


North Cape region


flax snail (pupuharakeke)


grey faced petrel


Stunted growth of the North Cape region


Three Kings Islands

A Significant Place: Not only stunningly beautiful, Te Paki is internationally recognised as a rich storehouse of biological and archaeological treasures.

System of Reserves: Te Paki consists of a combination of reserves; Te Paki Recreation Reserve (including Te Rerenga Wairua/Cape Reinga) (18878ha), Te Paki Station (2900ha), Mokaikai Scenic Reserve (4729ha), North Cape Scientific Reserve (682ha) and Motuopau Island Nature Reserve (29ha).

Unique Flora and Fauna: Te Paki was once an island separated from NZ for long enough to allow its plants and animals to become different from their mainland relatives. There are many unique plants, insects, snails, geckos and skinks throughout the area.

Valued by Maori: Te Rerenga Wairua (Cape Reinga) is of huge significance to Maori. It is believed to be the launching place of the spirit after death, as it travels along Te Ara Wairua (the spiritual pathway) on its final journey back to the traditional homeland of Hawaiki.

Rich History: Te Paki is one of the most important archaeological areas in NZ –over 700 recorded sites ranging from agricultural, living areas to fortified sites, indicating a huge population.

Caring for our natural heritage

The Department of Conservation in Kaitaia (DOC) is involved in a number of projects to help care for Te Paki’s unique and vulnerable flora and fauna:

Pupuharakeke (flax snails): Pupuharakeke is a giant land snail found in small populations throughout Te Paki. They are at great risk from pigs and rats eating them and weeds destroying their habitats. Pupuharakeke are very special to Ngati Kuri as the kaitiaki (guardians) of the iwi (tribe).
DOC is involved in fencing to keep out pigs, rat and possum trapping, monitoring snails, weed control and planting natives to restore important habitats.

Threatened plants: Many of the plants unique to Te Paki are threatened including Bartlett’s rata-discovered in 1976, this forest tree has only 31 trees left in the wild, Atriplex-a strand plant (grows above high tide on beaches) was down to 4 individuals in 2000, and is now into the hundreds as a result of a recovery programme.
DOC is involved in collecting seed, growing and planting threatened plants and possum control.

Oi (Grey faced petrel): Predation by rats, stoats and wild cats have all but eliminated seabirds from mainland NZ. In 2008, a small population of Oi was discovered on the headland of Te Rerenga Wairua (Cape Reinga). This is amazing given there are only a handful of sites like this left in New Zealand.
DOC is involved in trapping wild cats, rats and stoats, monitoring bird burrows and banding birds.

Wetlands: Te Paki contains an extensive series of wetlands (over 6000 years old) and dune lakes. Internationally, wetlands are seriously under threat, with less than 10% left. These wetlands are home to native fish and eels; an important food source for Maori.
Drainage, as well as increased nutrient and silt input from intensive agriculture and horticulture are some of the main contributors to the loss of wetlands and dune lakes.
DOC is involved in fencing wetlands within the Te Paki farm to protect the quality of the water and prevent further wetland loss.

North Cape Scientific Reserve: North Cape has a suite of plants that have evolved with toxic soil derived from serpentine rock. Serpentine rock is ultramafic which means the soil contains high concentrations of toxic metals such as nickel chrome and magnesium than most other soils in NZ. It’s also low in important minerals for plant growth such as calcium, and phosphorus. This strange soil has created a heathland of dwarf plants, many of which are only found at North Cape. North Cape also contains a population of Pupuharakeke. Many plants are vulnerable to possums, stock and horse damage as well as competition by weeds. DOC is involved in maintaining a pig-proof fence, weed and possum control and monitoring plants.

Island Restoration: Conservation of unique NZ species is enhanced by our amazing off-shore islands. Two groups of these are visible from Te Rerenga Wairua. To the south is Motuopao (off the tip of Cape Maria van Diemen) which is home to seabirds and the threatened robust skink. Looking north-west is Manawa Tawhi (Three Kings archipelago) - home to many plants and animals found nowhere else in the world. These include the Three Kings bellbird, Falla’s skink and Tecomanthe vine (only 1 left in the wild). These islands are free from pests such as rats, mice, cats, possums and most weeds, making them an exceptional place for native species to flourish. To guarantee the protection of these important sanctuaries, it’s vitally important to ensure the islands remain animal pest free. For this reason landing is not permitted.
DOC is involved in biosecurity, weed control, rodent monitoring for potential pests, seed collecting, propagation and planting and bird, snail, insect and seabird monitoring.

If you would like to contribute to this conservation effort, please click below

P.O. Box 293, Paihia, Bay Of Islands, New Zealand
Phone: +64 9 402 8338 or Freephone 0800 4SALTAIR (0800 472 582)
Fax: +64 9 402 8302
Mobile +64 27 492 4665
Email info@saltair.co.nz