Te Hauturu-ō-Toi/Little Barrier Island Nature Reserve Factsheets INDEX 1. Te Hauturu-ō-Toi/Little Barrier Island and Nature Reserve Land Classification 2. Significance of Te Hauturu-ō-Toi/Little Barrier Island to Ngāti Manuhiri 3. What is a Conservation Management Plan Te Hauturu-ō-Toi/Little Barrier Island and Nature Reserve Land Classification Hauturu Values Te Hauturu-ō-Toi/Little Barrier Island Nature Reserve contains one of the largest remaining areas of northern New Zealand forest that is free from mammalian pests. As the highest island in the Hauraki Gulf/Tīkapa Moana (722 m), Hauturu has a well-developed cloud forest and is home to a number of plant species that are otherwise restricted to a small number of high peaks in northern New Zealand. Most of the island has never been logged or browsed (except by kiore/rat (Rattus exulans)). The distinctive altitudinal sequence and ecological associations, the presence of species as outliers, and unexpected species absences make its forests outstandingly important. The island has one of the highest levels of fauna species diversity for forest habitat in New Zealand and is a site of international significance. Significant populations include the New Zealand storm petrel (Pealeornis maoriana) the only naturally occurring population of hihi/stitchbird (Notiomystis cincta), the largest known population of tītī/Cook’s petrel (Pterodroma cookii), two species of pekapeka/bat (long-tailed, Chalinolobus tuberbulatus; and short-tailed, Mystacina tuberbulata), and wētāpunga/Little Barrier giant wētā (Deinacrida heteracantha) and niho taniwha/chevron skink (Oligosoma homalonotum). It is also home to a growing population of northern tuatara (Sphenodon punctatus punctatus), a significant number of which have been released from captivity in recent years after the island was declared free from cats and kiore/rat. The protection and preservation of the flora and fauna of the island in their natural state and their cultural value to Ngāti Manuhiri takes priority over public access including advocacy activities on the island. Visitation to the island is by permit only. Land Classification A Nature Reserve must be managed and maintained in accordance with s20 of the Reserves Act 1977. The purpose of a nature reserve is to protect and preserve in perpetuity indigenous flora or fauna or natural features that are of such rarity, scientific interest or importance, or so unique that their protection and preservation are in the public interest. Specifically, the Act requires a nature reserve to be managed and maintained so that: • it is preserved as far as possible in its natural state, • the indigenous flora and fauna, ecological associations, and natural environment shall as far as possible be preserved and the exotic flora and fauna as far as possible be exterminated • for the better protection and preservation of the flora and fauna in its natural state, no person shall enter the reserve, except under the authority of a permit • entering the reserve includes any physical contact with the land by a boat; which includes the attaching (by rope or otherwise) of a boat to the reserve or to a wharf constructed on the reserve • where scenic, historic, archaeological, biological, geological, or other scientific features are present on the reserve, those features shall be managed and protected to the extent compatible with the principal or primary purpose of the reserve. However, this power does not enable the doing of anything with respect to fauna that would contravene any provisions of the Wildlife Act 1955 or the doing of anything with respect to archaeological features in any reserve that would contravene any provision of the Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga Act 2014. • its value as a soil, water, and forest conservation area shall be maintained to the extent compatible with the principal or primary purpose of the reserve. Re-introduction of missing species to a Nature Reserve is permitted if within the species known natural range. Out-of–range species may be transferred only if the transfer is temporary and or in the national interest. All access to Nature Reserves requires a permit. Access is limited to supervised nature tourism visits, research and education, translocations, and island management (including volunteers); subject to strict biosecurity measures. Significance of Te Hauturu-ō-Toi/Little Barrier Island to Ngāti Manuhiri Background Te Hauturu-ō-Toi/Little Barrier Island – the windblown summit of Toi - is a place of iconic importance for Ngāti Manuhiri and those other iwi who also share ancestral ties to it. Until 1896, the island was a permanent home for Ngāti Manuhiri, a refuge and an important burial place for Ngāti Manuhiri rangātira. Gardens on the island and the resources from the surrounding sea sustained many generations of Ngāti Manuhiri. Historically and culturally significant remains include stone structures, terraces, middens, burial sites and seven p ā. The Ngāti Manuhiri Claims Settlement Act 2012 vested Te Hauturu-ō-Toi/Little Barrier Island in the trustees of the Ngāti Manuhiri Settlement Trust. Seven days after the settlement, the gift area was revested in the Crown as a gift back to the Crown by the trustees of the Ng āti Manuhiri Settlement Trust for the people of New Zealand. It is managed by the Department. The text below reflects the statement of Ngāti Manuhiri values, protection principles and agreed actions of the Director-General of Conservation in relation to Te Hauturu-ō-Toi/Little Barrier Island as recorded in the Deed of Settlement. WHENUA RAHUI created over Te Hauturu-ō-Toi/ Little Barrier Island 1. Ngāti Manuhiri Statement of Values Te Hauturu-ō-Toi is an iconic island and landform for Ngāti Manuhiri. The island is visible from almost all parts of the traditional rohe or tribal domain of Ng āti Manuhiri. The physical presence of Te Hauturu-ō-Toi/ Little Barrier Island, its mauri or spiritual essence, and its traditional history are central to the mana, identity, unity, and tribal affiliations of Ng āti Manuhiri, extending over many generations down to the present. The island takes its name from its highest point –the wind-blown summit of Toi. This name, which features in whakataukī, pepeha and waiata, is a reminder of the earliest period of human settlement in the region. It stems from the arrival of the ancestor Toi Te Huatahi within Te Moana Nui ō Toi and his brief occupation of the island. Through intermarriage with the early tribal groups of Ngāi Tāhuhu and Ngāti Te Wharau, Ngāti Manuhiri are direct decendants of Toi Te Huatahi. The ancestor Manuhiri with his father Maki and his uncle Mataahu conquered Te Hauturu-ō- Toi/Little Barrier Island sometime in the seventeenth century. After several generations of occupation Ngāti Manuhiri made strategic alliances and marriages with Ngāti Manaia, now known as Ngāti Wai. Following the marriage of Rangihokaia of Ngāti Wai and Tukituki, the granddaughter of Manuhiri, Te Hauturu-ō-Toi/Little Barrier Island became symbolic of Ngāti Manuhiri links to Ngāti Wai whanui as a coastal and ocean-going iwi, as expressed in the whakataukī - Ka tangi Tūkaiaia ki te moana, ko Ngāti Wai kei te moana e haere ana – “When the guardian bird Tūkaiaia calls at sea, Ngāti Wai are travelling on the ocean”. Te Hauturu-ō-Toi/Little Barrier Island is not only seen as a place associated with, and occupied by, the ancestors of Ngāti Manuhiri. It is also seen as being a tipuna or ancestor in its own right. The island is also known as Te Whai Rahi – “the huge stingray” which is the paramount kaitiaki of Ngāti Manuhiri. Te Hauturu-ō-Toi/Little Barrier Island was occupied by Ngāti Manuhiri as a permanent home for many generations until 1896. Cultivations were maintained on the Maraeroa flats between Waipawa and Te Waikōhare. The surrounding seas provided a rich source of fish and other kaimoana, and Ngā Puke Tarahanga ō Hauturu – “the many peaks of Hauturu” were a rich source of birds, in particular manu oi, or varieties of mutton birds. Te Hauturu-ō-Toi/Little Barrier Island was at times used as a refuge and was an important burial place for rangātira of Ngāti Manuhiri. The circumstances surrounding the forced sale and subsequent eviction of Ngāti Manuhiri from the island symbolise the loss suffered by Ngāti Manuhiri over the last century and has been a central grievance for Ngāti Manuhiri. The transfer of the island to Ngāti Manuhiri and its gift-back to the Crown is of fundamental importance in enabling Ngāti Manuhiri to move toward to a more positive future. 2. Protection Principles 2.1 Recognition of Ngāti Manuhiri mana, tikanga and kaitiakitanga within Te Hauturu-ō- Toi/Little Barrier Island Nature Reserve. 2.2 Respect for and inclusion of Ngāti Manuhiri tikanga within Te Hauturu-ō-Toi/Little Barrier Nature Reserve. 2.3 Recognition of the relationship of Ngāti Manuhiri with the many wāhi tapu and wāhi whakahirahira on Te Hauturu-ō-Toi/Little Barrier Island and its immediate environs. 2.4 Respect for the presence of Ngāti Manuhiri on Te Hauturu-ō-Toi/Little Barrier Island generally, and the occupation of the Te Waikōhare papakainga in particular. 2.5 Encouragement of the respect for the association of Ngāti Manuhiri with Te Hauturu- ō-Toi/Little Barrier Nature Reserve. 2.6 Accurate portrayal of the association of Ngāti Manuhiri with Te Hauturu-ō-Toi/Little Barrier Nature Reserve. 2.7 Recognition of Ngāti Manuhiri kaitiakitanga in relation to the mauri and natural values of Te Hauturu-ō-Toi/Little Barrier Island Nature Reserve. 2.8