Rotoroa Island NZ

15/06/2026

Made for homeschool families who want more than a textbook 🌿

Recently we've been receiving a few enquiries from homeschooling families for our Education Programme on Rotoroa Island. As a result, we've decided to host a Homeschool Discovery Day on Friday 11 December 2026!

Join our experienced educators for a full day exploring one of Auckland's most beautiful conservation islands. Suitable for homeschool children approximately ages 8–13.

Learning outcomes:
- Investigate rock pools and coastal ecosystems: observe species and explore interactions.
- Explore wetlands and freshwater habitats: investigate macroinvertebrates and freshwater ecology.
- Discover native birds and plants: identify species and explore adaptations and biodiversity.
- Take part in hands-on conservation action: build stewardship through teamwork and contribution.
- Collect real environmental data: measure water clarity, temperature and light levels.
- Reflect on findings: analyse data and discuss what makes an ecosystem healthy.

Three-part learning journey:
- Online pre-visit workshop – Meet your educator, discover Rotoroa Island, learn about its unique wildlife and conservation story, and prepare for your island adventure.
- Rotoroa Island field day – Spend a full day exploring, investigating and collecting real environmental data.
- Online reflection workshop – Share discoveries, analyse findings, and explore ways to continue conservation learning and action at home.

Cost:
The programme is subsidised by our funders, with a cost of $40 per student. For every 6 students, one adult may travel free of charge. As the final number of accompanying adults is not confirmed at the time of booking, the total adult cost will be calculated after the island visit once final numbers are confirmed. The adult cost will be a maximum of $40 per adult. This includes a $40 non-refundable deposit per island visit per family.

Email: [email protected] for more information.

15/06/2026

Two of Rotoroa's most iconic residents, one visit to the island. Who's top of your list? 🌿

For 50 years, takahē were thought to be extinct. Their comeback is one of Aotearoa's greatest conservation success stories, with populations now growing and birds returning to the wild.

Tīeke (saddleback) have their own remarkable recovery story. Once pushed to the brink of extinction, they're now steadily increasing in number thanks to predator-free sanctuaries and restoration efforts across Aotearoa.

Drop 🌿 for takahē or 🐦 for tīeke in the comments, then come meet them both (you don't have to choose in real life!) by booking your ferry with Explore and visiting Rotoroa for the day.

📸 James Gow

Our island sanctuary is just an hour from Auckland, but it feels like another world. It’s a place where curious explorers can uncover fascinating stories and beautiful beaches. Experience first hand the conservation of iconic New Zealand species. And escape to somewhere truly special for the day, ...

09/06/2026

Meet H**e 🌿

Cypher and Fyfe's new takahē chick has officially been named H**e, after one of our most-loved revegetation natives. We had 45+ thoughtful submissions from our community, thank you to everyone who sent one in. It's a lovely reminder of how many people are quietly cheering on recovery of takahē.

26/05/2026

Meet Elroy, one of our volunteer beekeepers. Unlike a lot of commercial operations that feed bees sugar syrup over winter, Elroy makes sure our bees always have enough of their own honey to see them through the colder months.

"Our hard-working island bees have gifted us with yet another batch of excellent honey. This year, it has predominant notes of pōhutukawa and tī kōuka nectar. As always, it's raw and unfiltered, preserving all its natural goodness, then crafted into a smooth, creamy texture that's easily spreadable. We harvested 33kg of honey this year. It's a lot of hard work, not just for the bees, but also for the beekeeper, and I'm really thankful to volunteer Ian Benet (pictured with Elroy) who helps me with the project." — Elroy, Rotoroa Island Beekeeper

The new batch is now available at our Island Kiosk. Come and visit us to get your hands on some! 🍯

15/05/2026

The fun(gi) season continues 🍄‍🟫🍄

Visitor Services Ranger Sandi spotted these on the island... They are called Pink Earth Lichen (Dibaeis absoluta), a NZ native.

They look like miniature mushrooms, but they're actually a lichen, a partnership between a fungus and an alga, living as one organism.

📷 Sandi Fitzgerald, Visitor Services Ranger

13/05/2026

Meet Rotoroa's newest takahē 🌿

Cypher and Fyfe's new chick needs a name, and we thought we'd ask for your help. Drop your name suggestion in the comments below. Entries close 20th May!

Once thought extinct, takahē are now one of Aotearoa's greatest conservation comeback stories. Every chick hatched in a predator-free sanctuary like Rotoroa is a win for the species, and proof of what's possible when we give native wildlife the space to thrive safely away from predators.

So… what should we call this little takahē?

08/05/2026

Meet the workers 🐝 Did you know that every worker bee is female? Worker bees do it all... Building the comb, tending the queen, feeding the babies, guarding the hive, and foraging for nectar across the island.

A single Rotoroa hive can be home to anywhere from 20,000 to 60,000 bees, depending on the season. Their wings beat 200–240 times per second (that's where the buzz comes from) and they can fly at speeds of up to 25km/h.

All that, in a total lifespan of just six weeks!

05/05/2026

A rainy Mother's Day is on the horizon... Bring her to Rotoroa, especially because she can come here for free 🏝️☁️

There's a particular kind of magic that settles over Rotoroa in the rain... The bush smells alive, the tīeke are out foraging, and the forest canopy keeps you sheltered. Moody bush, fungi, historic buildings to duck into when the rain rolls in, and very few people around. Despite what you may think, it's one of the best days to visit.

Give Mum the kind of Mother's Day she won't forget: fresh air, birdsong, and an island all to herself. And this Sunday, she travels FREE. Use code MUMSGOFREE26 with Explore Group: https://www.exploregroup.co.nz/auckland/rotoroa-island/ 🤍⛵

27/04/2026

Meet Sandi, our Visitor Services Ranger on the island 👏

If you've hopped off the ferry recently, chances are Sandi was the friendly face welcoming you ashore. Her days on the island are wonderfully varied, from looking after our holiday accommodation, running the kiosk, coordinating volunteers, and greeting every visitor who arrives by ferry or private boat.

Sandi joins us with years of hospitality experience and a love of remote places, having lived and worked everywhere from Tasmania to the Flinders Ranges in South Australia. That mix of people skills and a deep appreciation for nature, wildlife and conservation makes her a natural fit for island life.

In her own words: "No two days are ever the same here. The key is enjoying that variety, embracing new learning, taking pleasure in meeting people, and being content in your own company too."

Next time you're on Rotoroa, say hi to Sandi 🌿

24/04/2026

From hive to honey 🐝 Over the next couple of weeks we're taking you behind the scenes of our Rotoroa Island hives, to show you exactly how our honey makes its way from flower to jar. It's 100% pure and 100% made on the island.

Here's volunteer beekeepers Elroy and Ian, hard at work checking one of the hives. Rotoroa Island Honey is a unique multifloral blend of Manuka, Pohutukawa, Harakeke, Clover and Native Wild Flower, a true taste of the Hauraki Gulf.

It takes around 12 bees their entire lifetime to make just one teaspoon of honey. Every drop really is precious 🍯