Welcome to Tiakina Whangārei
Launched in 2018 with funding from the Northland Regional Council and support from the Whangārei District Council, the Tiakina Whangārei urban project is a community-led initiative with agency backing. Since its beginning, the project has empowered hundreds of local volunteers to protect and restore native biodiversity across our city.
With support from Tiakina Whangārei, residents have taken action to protect native biodiversity — removing thousands of introduced predators, growing backyard trap networks, and forming community groups to tackle pest plants and animals in urban reserves. These collective efforts are helping to restore habitats and bring native wildlife back into our neighbourhoods.
Whether you’re already trapping, keen to get started, or simply curious to learn more — there’s a place for everyone to get involved. If you live within Whangārei’s urban area, we’re here to help you get started. Register your interest to find out how we can support you to be part of the change.
Our focus areas
While Tiakina Whangārei supports individuals and volunteer groups across the entire city, it quickly became clear that having dedicated focus areas would strengthen the project. By concentrating efforts in specific suburbs and actively promoting the idea of local predator suppression zones, we’ve been able to boost community involvement and build stronger neighbourhood support.
Onerahi
In 2020, Onerahi became Tiakina Whangārei’s first official focus area. This coastal suburb was selected for its unique advantages — as a peninsula, it’s naturally easier to defend against reinvasion by pest animals. With large areas of surrounding native forest, Onerahi also offers huge potential for meaningful conservation outcomes — not just in the bush, but in backyards too.
The opportunity for biodiversity gains in Onerahi is significant: more native birds, more wildlife, and healthier ecosystems throughout the suburb.
Just as importantly, Onerahi already had a strong base of local community action. Schools, kindergartens, early childhood centres, and community groups were leading the way in the conservation space. Tiakina Whangārei has simply built on this momentum — supporting, connecting, and amplifying local efforts to help create a thriving, conservation focussed community.
Te Kamo
Te Kamo became Tiakina Whangārei’s second focus area in 2023. This suburb was identified as a priority due to its close connection to the Pukenui Forest — a vital stronghold for many of our native species including pekapeka – long tailed bat. Te Kamo is also dotted with smaller forest remnants that act as stepping stones for wildlife, helping to link green spaces across the city.
By supporting effective predator control in Te Kamo, we’re not only helping to protect the biodiversity of Pukenui Forest, but also strengthening the wider ecological network throughout Whangārei.
Te Kamo is home to a tight-knit community and many passionate environmentalists. This project builds on that existing mahi — bringing people together to care for their local environment and to create a safer, more connected spaces for our native wildlife to thrive.
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