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History of the Trust

Toutouwai | North Island robin. Photo by Shaun Lee. stet.co.nz

History of the Trust

1998 — Whangarei Heads Citizens Association meeting. DOC's Keith Hawkins highlighted ecological importance. Bream Head Restoration Committee formed.

2001 — Bream Head Conservation Trust established. First trustees: Don Hewitt (Chair), Robin Lieffering, John Gardiner (DOC), John Davison, Mayor Craig Brown, Steve Westgate. Explored predator-proof fencing for 9 years — deemed unsuitable due to terrain and cost.

Ranger Era — Pete & Cathy Mitchell first rangers (2011). Evan Davies joined 2012. First Five-Year Plan by Jo Richie. Adam Willetts head ranger 2015. Dr Dai Morgan prepared second plan 2017.

Translocations — Toutouwai/NI robin (April 2016), Popokatea/whitehead (May 2017). Grey-faced petrel/oi monitoring established.

2022+ — Tom Flynn-Plummer head ranger (Aug 2022). Cyclone Gabrielle damage — all trap lines operational by September. Nursery planting resumed 2023. Trap network extended into dunes.

Department of Conservation

Department of Conservation

Whangarei District Council

Whangarei District Council

Weed Action Native Habitat Restoration Trust

Weed Action Native Habitat Restoration Trust

Predator Free Whangārei

Predator Free Whangārei

Aki Tai Here

Aki Tai Here

Kiwi Coast

Kiwi Coast

Backyard Kiwi

Backyard Kiwi

Whangārei Heads Landcare Forum

Whangārei Heads Landcare Forum

Group of five people in a forest, some sitting and some standing, examining items on the ground; sunlight filters through leafless trees.
Group of hikers walking along a grassy trail next to dense green bushes, with trees and ocean in the background under a clear blue sky.
Children and adults gathered around a soil sample or small excavation site in a wooded area, wearing hats and outdoor clothing, possibly conducting a scientific or environmental activity.
Group of children and two adults gathered around a table outdoors, examining soil or small plants, engaging in a gardening or educational activity in a wooded area.
People gathered around an information booth at an outdoor event, with tents and parked cars in the background, and a partly cloudy sky overhead.
Three men sitting on a boat, fishing on a calm lake with mountains and a city skyline in the background, sunny day.
Group of people standing and kneeling outside in front of a white canopy tent with Bream Head Conservation Trust logo, in a natural setting with mountains and trees in the background, under a clear blue sky.
A group of people seated on chairs and a blanket on the grass at an outdoor event, watching a boy performing a tightrope walk between two poles. The event is set against a backdrop of mountains, trees, and a partly cloudy sky, with tents and parked c
People planting trees along a hillside with green grass and shrubs, near water, under a cloudy sky.
A metal sign on a wooden post describing the Matariki tu Rākau project, including information about tree planting by the Whangārei Heads community in winter 2023/24 to honor New Zealand's heroes, with some objects and foliage visible in the backgroun
People planting trees or gardening on a hillside with a body of water and mountains in the background.
People planting small trees or shrubs in an outdoor garden with a large tree, greenery, and a body of water in the background on a sunny day.