MOTU KAIKŌURA
Motu Kaikōura (previously known as Selwyn Island and also as Kaikōura Island) is an island off the west coast of Aotea/Great Barrier Island, New Zealand’s sixth largest island, and provides protection to Port Fitzroy on the latter. The 564-hectare island is located 80m at its closest point to Aotea/Great Barrier Island, and is 90km NNE of Auckland, New Zealand’s largest city.
Motu Kaikōura was bought for the people of New Zealand by the Government, the ASB Charitable Trusts, the Auckland Regional Council and Auckland local authorities and opened by the Prime Minister on 7 May 2005. Farmed for a century, it is now an open sanctuary for native flora and fauna and is subject to continuous pest control.
It is an island of huge potential for conservation purposes and NZ desperately needs more secure sanctuaries for our wildlife. The aim is to support the natural regeneration of the vegetation — free of invasive plants and animals.
Motu Kaikōura is managed by the Motu Kaikoura Trust Board, which has prepared and regularly updates a Management Plan. The Management Plan includes a wealth of information about the island, some of which is summarised elsewhere in this web site.