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Tuhua (Mayor Island) is
an ancient volcano, once
prized, quarried and
fought over for it's
valuable black glossy
obsidian, now safe-haven
for some of New Zealand's
most threatened native
species. The adjacent
Tuhua Marine Reserve is
renowned for its high
water quality, diversity
of deep sea and sub-
tropical fish species and
stunning geological
features.
The island is classified
as a Wildlife Refuge and
administered by the Tuhua
Trust Board, whom
represent the owners and
are working in
partnership with the
Department of
Conservation to restore
the island as close as
possible to it's original
state.
Visitors are welcome on
the island by prior
arrangement and are asked
to follow a few rules and
biosecurity precautions,
so that the island's
natural beauty, pest-free
status and unique
inhabitants are
protected.
How to get there:
Tuhua is 35 kilometres
offshore from the
Tauranga Harbour entrance
and the marine reserve is
located at the northern
end of the island.
Weather and sea
conditions can change
rapidly.
For many people the most
convenient and ready
access to Tuhua may be by
charter boat or
helicopter. Diving or
flightseeing excursions
can be arranged through a
number of operators.
Landing is permitted only
at Opo (South-East) Bay.
A caretaker will be
present on weekends,
public holidays and some
weekdays from Labour
Weekend to early April.
If no caretaker is
present, entry is
strictly forbidden.
A landing fee of $5 per
person per visit applies,
group and school
discounts are available.
Large parties of day
visitors (over 15 people)
or those wishing to stay
overnight on the island
should make prior
arrangements with the
Tauranga DOC Office, ph:
07 578 7677 or email
taurangainfo@doc.govt.nz
Attractions &
facilities:
Walking tracks around the
island provide access to
points of interest.
The island has had the
conservation status of a
wildlife refuge since
1953 and is administered
by the Tuhua Trust Board,
whom represent the
owners. It has healthy
populations of nectar-
feeding bellbirds and
tui, and wood pigeons.
Other native birds
include the morepork and
fantail, North Island
robin, North Island brown
kiwi, pateke (brown
teal), kaka (brown
parrot), grey warbler,
waxeye, kingfisher and
pied tit and, soaring on
the thermals, the harrier
hawk. In summer the
shining cuckoo is also
seen and heard in good
numbers.
A marine reserve was
created off the northern
end of the island in 1993
which provides fantastic
diving or snorkelling
opportunities, please
look but don't touch or
harvest.
A restricted fishing area
extends one nautical mile
offshore around the rest
of the island, including
Tuhua Reef. Set nets
(including gill nets) and
long lines (lines with
more than three hooks)
are prohibited within
this area but all other
legal fishing methods are
allowed.
Accommodation:
Ten tent sites and eight
cabins are available by
prior arrangement.
Please contact DOC
Tauranga Area Office to
make a booking, 10% non-
refundable booking fee
applies.
Tent site
- $5 per person per night
Cabins (sleep 4-6):
Family - $30 per night
(4 people)
Couple - $20 per night
Individual - $15 per
night
Rates include landing
fee, use of cold shower
facilities and ablution
block.
Visitors must supply own
linen, cooking and
camping equipment, food
and personal items.
There is no shop on the
island.
Water
All water must be boiled
prior to drinking
therefore it is advised
that you take your own
bottled supply.
WARNING - Wasps
German wasps are
prevalent on the island
especially from January
to March. Visitors are
advised to be prepared
for treating wasp stings
and to bring any
neccessary allergy
medication with them.
Please remember:
It is the responsibility
of every visitor to
follow the quarantine
restrictions to help keep
Tuhua pest-free.
The only permitted
landing site is South
East Bay. There are
strict quarantine
regulations in place, so
all visitors are required
to report to the
caretaker on arrival. No
cargo or luggage is to be
brought ashore without
the permission of the
caretaker. Cargo or
luggage ought to be
brought ashore during
daylight and unpacked in
the unpacking enclosure.
Charter boat operators
should contact DOC for
more detailed quarantine
procedures prior to
planning any visit to
Tuhua.
Code of conduct
- Open fires
are NOT PERMITTED on the
island, cooking is by
self-provided gas cookers
only.
- Bad behaviour
will not be tolerated and
will result in the
requirement that you
leave on the next
available vessel.
- All non-
combustible rubbish MUST
be taken off the Island
at your expense. All
other material MUST be
burnt in the incinerator
located next to the
cookhouse. No plastics to
be burnt.
- If you are
planning a trek out of
Opo (South East Bay) you
are required to complete
a form at the caretaker's
residence detailing
expected departure and
return times, number of
people trekking and your
proposed route.
- The
kaitiaki/caretaker
retains the right to
terminate your stay for
serious breaches
affecting your own or the
safety of others, or
matters detrimental to
our Island flora and
fauna.
- Please
observe all signs posted
for your safety and
enjoyment e.g. All
drinking water must be
boiled.
- Our water
supply is limited and we
ask that you conserve
water at all times.
- The
consumption of alcohol on
Tuhua is restricted and
requires the prior
consent of the
kaitiaki/caretaker.
- The use of
non-prescription drugs is
prohibited.
- All visitors
who have not received
tickets through the
Department of
Conservation office,
Chadwick Road, Greerton,
Tauranga or made prior
invoice arrangements with
the Tuhua Trust must pay
in full upon arrival at
Tuhua. If no prior
booking is made
accommodation is not
guaranteed.
- The removal of tuhua
(obsidian) is prohibited.
href="http://www.doc.govt
.nz/parks-and-
recreation/places-to-
visit/bay-of-
plenty/tauranga-
area/tuhua-mayor-
island/">DOC Link One
href="http://www.doc.govt
.nz/conservation/marine-
and-coastal/marine-
protected-areas/marine-
reserves-a-z/tuhua-mayor-
island">DOC Link Two
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More information
www.destinationoutdoors.co.nz
or contact
Protect plants and animals.
Remove rubbish.
Bury toilet waste.
Keep streams and lakes clean.
Take care with fires.
Camp carefully.
Keep to the track.
Consider others.
Respect our cultural heritage.
Enjoy your visit.
Toitu te Whenua (Leave the land undisturbed.) |
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