Motuora Restoration Society
In 1987/8 a flora and fauna survey of the island was carried out by a group led by Dr John Dowding for a report to the Hauraki Maritime Park Board. This report made reference to Motuora being a possible nature reserve. About this time Simon Chamberlain wrote to the Mid North Forest and Bird Society promoting Motuora as a predator free bird habitat. Simon had grown up on Motuora and had maintained an active interest in Motuora’s future since leaving the island.
In1989/90 the Mid North Forest and Bird (F&B) then branch chairperson Mike Harris began promoting the idea of restoring Motuora and the Mid North F&B adopted the restoration proposal as a ten year project. Mike went on to form the Motuora Action Group and lobbied DOC for combined DOC and F& B action on the proposal. Initially this group had fifty paid up members. At this time the DOC CMS (Conservation Management Strategy) was being drafted and DOC was reluctant to commit themselves to a restoration project until the CMS was finalised. This caused much frustration for the group. The group strongly lobbied to have Motuora and its marine environment recognised in the CMS as a restoration project and carried out trial plantings, further flora and fauna surveys, seed collections, tidied up the camping ground, upgraded the batch and improved fences. Support for this work came from the public and various groups such as the Warkworth Lions Club, other F& B branches, Mahurangi College, Orewa Rotary, boating groups and Te Aroha Eco tours. By 1993 over 5,000 trees had been planted.
A public workshop on Motuora was called for by the Mid North F&B branch and held by DOC in the Warkworth Primary School September 1990. This was attended by over sixty people and groups who came out strongly in support for the restoration of Motuora. This led to a strategy plan being implemented at a meeting between DOC and the Mid North F&B in 1992.
At that time F&B set up a Motuora subcommittee at DOC's request to carry on the project led by Arthur Dunn and later by Alan McKenzie. The Motuora Action Group was absorbed back into the branch. During this period much consolidation work for the project was done such as the coastal margin fence upgrade, the identification of seed collection sites and noxious weed identification. Work parties led by Les Buckton (sub committee member) was given much assistance and encouragement by DOC resident ranger Sylvia Watson and Jeff Cook (DOC ranger in charge of running Motuora). As the main means of transport to the island was, at this time, by Les's yacht trip numbers were limited to 15-18 people. The 'Matata' or the 'Kawau Ferry' were used when larger groups were organised. One trip attracted 140 people.
During 1994 it became apparent that the needs of Motuora for the long term would be better met by an independent body with its own constitution and working plan. To this end Allan and Les canvassed likely interested parties, drew up a draft constitution and called a public meeting for March 1995 at which interested parties were asked to express their views. This meeting was well attended and a resolution passed that the Motuora Restoration Society Inc. be formed with an intern committee of eleven volunteers from the floor with Les Buckton acting as intern co-ordinator. This committee was given the task of drafting a constitution and formulating a working plan. The Inaugural AGM of the Society was held on June 1995 and the constitution adopted subject to some minor amendments. Les was elected Chairperson along with the existing committee members.
Since 2005 the Society has achieved much, largely due to the generous support of its many sponsors, the efforts of many volunteers, and the commitment of a dedicated committee team. The Society is now in a strong position to meet the future challenges.