Island-Ocean Connection Challenge
The Chatham Islands has joined the international Island-Ocean Connection Challenge, with a pledge to restore our two inhabited islands.
We've taken up this international challenge to be part of a network of globally significant islands working towards restoration by 2030. This is a chance to make our community's long-term environmental vision a reality.
In a community-led effort, we want to restore and protect our islands to secure the health of the ocean and lands, the survival of some incredible species, and the sustainable future of our community.
Our pledge represents groundbreaking conservation. No predator removal and restoration project of this scale has been carried out on a populated island like the Chathams before. And while we’ve already started work towards this long-term goal, the cost for something so ambitious is beyond what our small community can raise alone.
Restoration planting of soft spear grass at Blind Jims. Image: CILRT
Our pledge
Our Trust, along with the Hokotehi Moriori Trust and Ngāti Mutunga o Wharekauri Iwi Trust, have pledged to:
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Continue removing feral cats from Pitt Island to ensure the survival of critically threatened taonga/miheke species
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Remove possums and feral cats from the northeast of Rēkohu/Wharekauri as the first step towards removing possums, feral cats and rats from the whole archipelago
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Support natural regeneration of the island through active restoration and biosecurity to prevent the reintroduction of introduced predators.
This is work already started by our community through the Predator Free Chathams project in the northeast, feral cat removal on Pitt, and replanting and protecting areas on both islands.
The cost to deliver the Chatham’s IOCC pledge is around NZD$31million – more than our small islands can raise alone.
Donate to help us rise to the challenge
Restoring globally important islands
The Chatham Islands are in an incredibly fertile marine area, with an estimated 20% of the world’s seabird species making use of our waters for breeding, feeding, and migration. We also have around 10% of Aotearoa’s endangered species on our islands, as well as a community of 700 people dependent on the environment in this remote and wild place.
Chatham Island kelp at Taniwha/Splatter Rock. Image: Jess MacKenzie
Healthy islands mean healthy seas around them, and healthy seas contribute to a healthy planet. The IOCC recognises the huge benefits island restoration has for conservation and climate resilience. The IOCC aims to restore 40 globally significant islands by 2030, working with islands and raising funds to make this important work possible.
Aotearoa has joined the pledge to restore some of its globally significant islands: Rēkohu/Wharekauri and Rangihaute/Rangiauria/Pitt Island in the Chathams, Rakiura/Stewart Island, and Maukahuka/Auckland Island.
Be part of restoring the Chathams
You can be a part of restoring our islands by donating, Sponsoring a Trap, or supporting us with in kind support. Get in touch if you'd like to learn more about our predator removal and restoration programme and have an idea for how you could fit in!
You can also help by sharing our story. Let people know about our IOCC pledge and about the incredible species that live out here, and join us on Facebook, Instagram or LinkedIn.
