Urupukapuka Island Recreation Reserve

There is a conservation centre in Otehei Bay, 26 December to 6 February every year.

The conservation centre has historical info about the island, info about project island song, info about bottlenose dolphin’s in the Bay of Islands. It also serves as a base for children's’ activity days and a pop-up library.

More about project island birdsong.

Topography

The island’s topography is the most varied of the islands in Ipipiri and ranges from flat areas behind the major bays (Entico, Otehei, Urupukapuka) and rises to moderately steep slopes and coastal cliffs on the island’s eastern side.

Vegetation

The main vegetation type is manuka/kanuka shrubland and extensive kikuyu grasslands are features of northern and southern areas of Urupukapuka. A spectacular pohutukawa forest occupies the coastal fringe and pohutukawa are a highlight of the island's vegetation. There is a significant wetland habitat created in the 1980s as a wildlife habitat with baumea sp. and raupo reed land.

Conservation

Urupukapuka has significant restoration potential with its range of habitats, natural regeneration and breeding area for brown teal/pāteke and NZ dotterel.

As part of the on-going restoration of Urupukapuka, Project Island Song has successfully released North Island robin/toutouwai, North Island saddleback/tīeke and whitehead/pōpokotea on the island. Keep an ear and eye open for these rare birds when visiting.

Grazing occurs on approximately a third of the island in order to maintain open space and vegetation on archaeological sites.

Read about the history and significance of Urupukapuka Island.