Te Awhi o Te Rangi Manahi

The tuatara is New Zealand’s ancient living taonga. It is threatened by global warming. Scientists say that less than one degree Celsius is all that stands between the tuatara—New Zealand's "living fossil" reptile—and extinction.

This tuatara is of particular significance to our whanau. We are shareholders in Motunau (Plate) Island which is the Māori owned Wildlife Sanctuary that is home to a colony of tuatara. Motunau is managed by both DOC Bay of Plenty and the Ngati Whakahemo owners. We want to be associated with the pro-active effort to increase its chances of recovery and preservation by lessening the threat of extinction.