Preventing extinctions and saving entire ecosystems
Subantarctic Auckland Island, New Zealand
Become a catalyst investor in a globally significant restoration project to rewild 114,000 acres of precious subantarctic Nature Reserve
Rewilding Auckland Island is the final step in over 30 years of investment, research, and innovation in restoring the New Zealand subantarctic World Heritage area
Set to be one of the largest pest eradication projects in history, it is ground-breaking in scale and complexity.
It represents a rare opportunity for a world facing a biodiversity crisis.
A globally significant stronghold for unique wildlife
Deep within the Southern Ocean, Auckland Island is a biodiversity hotspot, home to more than 500 species of plants and animals, over 100 of which are found nowhere else on Earth.
It is comparable in importance to other World Heritage sites such as the Grand Canyon, Yellowstone National Park and the Great Barrier Reef.
It has exceptionally high seabird diversity and is globally renowned as a seabird migration hub with 25 rare seabird species breeding in the archipelago.
“These populations would explode if freed from predation by pigs, cats and mice”
Introduced predators threaten the future of unique wildlife
Sadly, we are rapidly losing these precious plants and animals. Populations of introduced feral pigs, feral cats, and mice have skyrocketed over the last 200 years and inflicted severe harm. Now, 32 native bird species are no longer found on Auckland Island but survive as vulnerable populations on nearby pest-free islands.
Iconic fields of megaherbs are now restricted to individual plants in the few places inaccessible to pigs.
Use the slide arrows to see the difference pigs make
Large swaths of forests have disturbed soils and stunted understories due to pig rooting.
Use the slide arrows to see the difference pigs make
Without deliberate action, plants, animals, and ocean health will continue to decline
Immediately to the south of Auckland Island lies pest free Adams Island, one of the largest pristine islands in the world. This island time capsule has never suffered the ravages of pests and gives us a glimpse into the pre-human past.
It faces catastrophic consequences if pigs, feral cats or mice make their way across.
Image shows the narrowest point between the two islands.
Scientists and restoration experts can rewild Auckland Island
New Zealand is a world leader in island eradications with a history of innovation and capability development in this field.
Globally, there have been successful eradications of each pest species at scale
Click on each project below to learn more.
South Georgia
South Georgia. Click to expand.
Largest rodent eradication: 264,000 acres treated over 3 seasons, 2018
Dirk Hartog Island, Australia
Dirk Hartog Island, Australia. Click to expand.
Large feral cat eradication, 155,000 acres, 2018
Santiago, Galápagos, Ecuador
Santiago, Galápagos, Ecuador. Click to expand.
Large feral pig eradication, 142,000 acres, 2000
Marion Island, South Africa
Marion Island, South Africa. Click to expand.
Feral cats, 83,000 acres, 1991
Santa Cruz, USA
Santa Cruz, USA. Click to expand.
Feral pigs, 62,000 acres, 2007
Auckland Island
Auckland Island. Click to expand.
Feral pigs, feral cats and mice, 114,000 acres, ????
South Georgia
Largest rodent eradication: 264,000 acres treated over 3 seasons, 2018
Dirk Hartog Island, Australia
Large feral cat eradication, 155,000 acres, 2018
Santiago, Galápagos, Ecuador
Large feral pig eradication, 142,000 acres, 2000
Marion Island, South Africa
Feral cats, 83,000 acres, 1991
Santa Cruz, USA
Feral pigs, 62,000 acres, 2007
Auckland Island
Feral pigs, feral cats and mice, 114,000 acres, ????
This investment buys:
- Over twice as much space for native species to thrive in the subantarctic – from 75,000 to 190,000 acres,
- Protected breeding sites for 38 species of native bird, including nine unique to the island,
- Recovery of almost 200 species of native plants including the return of fields of iconic megaherbs,
- Recovery of 280+ species of native insects, more than 95 of which are found nowhere else on earth,
- Restored seabird populations which will provide high nutrient input driving ecosystem processes and functionality,
- The safety of surrounding islands by removing the impending risk of swimming predators,
- Improved resilience to the effects of climate change for the island and the surrounding Southern Ocean,
- Groundbreaking science, new tools and techniques for future rewilding at scale.
Feasibility and early stages of planning are complete
Experts have already completed a 3-year, USD$2.2 million feasibility study on Auckland Island that found that eradicating pigs, feral cats and mice is achievable, worthwhile and necessary to halt the decline of native species and enable ecosystem recovery.
The rigorous research used extensive field trials and an evidence-based approach that tested methods and assessed the costs, benefits, risks and technical challenges.
Restoration experts are poised, ready to begin as soon as funding is secured
USD$30m is the catalyst investment required to deliver this 8-year project (average USD$3.75m per year).
It is designed with cost-effectiveness, efficiency, and scientific best-practice at its core.
The legacy will be enduring
The island’s remoteness, pest free status of surrounding islands and strict visitor protocols already in place means that there will be no ongoing costs to keep the island pest free and in its natural state.
Once the pests are gone many rare endemic and native species are expected to re-introduce themselves from surrounding islands.
Megaherbs on previously restored Enderby Island
A lone Southern Royal Albatross in tussock
Southern Right Whale nursery
Megaherbs on untouched Disappointment Island
Phocarctos hookeri (New Zealand Sea Lion, Rāpoka)
Pig rooting destroying the landscape
Auckland Island shag
Imposing western cliffs
Yellow-eyed penguin / hoiho
View across the tops
Endemic snipe survive on surrounding islands
Albatross forge across the Southern Ocean
Narrowest point between Auckland and Adams Islands
Megaherbs flourish on Adams island
Historic castaways finger post
Megaherbs on previously restored Enderby Island
A lone Southern Royal Albatross in tussock
Southern Right Whale nursery
Megaherbs on untouched Disappointment Island
Phocarctos hookeri (New Zealand Sea Lion, Rāpoka)
Pig rooting destroying the landscape
Auckland Island shag
Imposing western cliffs
Yellow-eyed penguin / hoiho
View across the tops
Endemic snipe survive on surrounding islands
Albatross forge across the Southern Ocean
Narrowest point between Auckland and Adams Islands
Megaherbs flourish on Adams island
Historic castaways finger post
The project is co-led by New Zealand’s government and indigenous tribe Ngāi Tahu, representing a unique partnership between world-leading technical restoration experts and indigenous peoples.
