Reconnecting with Nature and Each Other

Following another action-packed field season, our Ecology Team (Bioresearches) took time to reconnect - with nature and with each other - during their annual weekend away, this year on the stunning Motuihe Island/Te Motu-a-Ihenga.

Not quite ‘tools down’, the team shared stories, field tips, and ecological insights while immersed in the rich biodiversity of this predator-free sanctuary in the Hauraki Gulf. The experience reinforced not only our ecological kaupapa but also the strength that comes from working as a team.

We’re also proud to be building a strong relationship with the Motuihe Island Restoration Trust, contributing to the long-term restoration vision for the island. During our visit, we conducted bird, reptile, and coastal marine surveys and planted native trees - supporting the recovery of vital habitats and the island’s ecological resilience.

It’s said that culture eats strategy for breakfast - and we couldn’t agree more. We've built a team culture that prioritises knowledge sharing, connection to place, and enduring collaboration. It’s part of what’s sustained us across more than 50 years of ecological consultancy.

Trip highlights included sightings of (species photos to follow):

• Tīeke | North Island saddleback (𝘗𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘯𝘶𝘴 𝘳𝘶𝘧𝘶𝘴𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘳)

• Red-crowned parakeet| Kākāriki (𝘊𝘺𝘢𝘯𝘰𝘳𝘢𝘮𝘱𝘩𝘶𝘴 𝘯𝘰𝘷𝘢𝘦𝘻𝘦𝘭𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘪𝘢𝘦)

• Wētāpunga | Giant wētā (𝘋𝘦𝘪𝘯𝘢𝘤𝘳𝘪𝘥𝘢 𝘩𝘦𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘢𝘤𝘢𝘯𝘵𝘩𝘢)

• White-speckled seahare | māina (𝘈𝘱𝘭𝘺𝘴𝘪𝘢 𝘢𝘳𝘨𝘶𝘴)

• Tuatara (𝘚𝘱𝘩𝘦𝘯𝘰𝘥𝘰𝘯 𝘱𝘶𝘯𝘤𝘵𝘢𝘵𝘶𝘴)

• Raukawa gecko | Moko pāpā (𝘞𝘰𝘰𝘥𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘢 𝘮𝘢𝘤𝘶𝘭𝘢𝘵𝘢)

• Duvaucel's gecko (𝘏𝘰𝘱𝘭𝘰𝘥𝘢𝘤𝘵𝘺𝘭𝘶𝘴 𝘥𝘶𝘷𝘢𝘶𝘤𝘦𝘭𝘪𝘪)- Moko skinks (𝘖𝘭𝘪𝘨𝘰𝘴𝘰𝘮𝘢 𝘮𝘰𝘤𝘰)- Black noddy (𝘈𝘯𝘰𝘶𝘴 𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘶𝘵𝘶𝘴)

Disclaimer: All wildlife handling depicted in these images was conducted under a valid Wildlife Authority. The ecologists involved are trained professionals operating in accordance with approved ethical and legal guidelines for wildlife surveying.