Motutapu Restoration Trust (MRT) is a charitable trust formed in 1993 to support the ecological and cultural restoration of Motutapu Island in Auckland's Hauraki Gulf, roughly a 30-minute ferry ride from the city. It works in partnership with mana whenua Ngāi Tai ki Tāmaki and the Department of Conservation, whose planning approval governs the Trust's restoration activities.
Motutapu's mammalian pests were eradicated by 2011, and since the Trust's founding, volunteers have planted approximately 500,000 native trees, converting around 100 hectares of former farmland into forest that is now approaching canopy level. The restored, pest-free habitat has enabled the reintroduction of threatened native species, including kiwi, takahē, tīeke (saddleback), pōpokatea (whitehead), tūturuatu (shore plover), kārāriki (red-crowned parakeet) and the Duvaucel gecko. The Trust also holds a concession to operate the restored Reid Homestead as a visitor centre and has restored the Home Bay wharf.
### Volunteer and corporate group days
MRT's conservation work is almost entirely volunteer-powered. It runs regular public volunteer days (Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays) covering tree planting, weed control and nursery work, and explicitly welcomes corporate groups either on these public days or midweek by separate arrangement. Registration is via the Trust's volunteer form or by emailing its admin address.
### MICE suitability
As a genuine, long-running conservation charity rather than a commercial activity operator, Motutapu Restoration Trust offers a credible corporate social-responsibility (CSR) option for organisations and conference groups based in Auckland: a hands-on, purpose-driven volunteer day (planting, weeding or nursery work) on a working restoration island, bookable midweek for corporate groups by arrangement. It suits organisers looking for an authentic environmental-impact activity rather than a purely recreational team-building day, and enquiries or midweek bookings should be made directly with the Trust well ahead of the planned date.
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