In the first week of May, Copthorne Bay of Islands Human Resources Advisor Ms Ingrid Edmonds and Operations Manager Ms Aroha Matthews spent a day “weed busting” on Moturua Island. The activity was organised by Project Island Song, which the hotel is a long-term supporter of.

Project Island Song is a wildlife sanctuary in New Zealand’s North Island that aims to reintroduce native species of birds and restore the native island ecosystem to a thriving state. Over the past decade, the sanctuary has reintroduced five native species of birds, including the North Island robin and North Island tomtit. There are seven main islands in total in the eastern Bay of Islands, of which Moturua Island is one of them. The island spans 136 hectares, with crystal clear, turquoise waters, and four beaches.

Ms Edmonds and Ms Matthews were whisked across the bay from the town of Paihia to the Moturua Island Scenic Reserve by speedboat, approximately a 30-minute journey. Once on the island, the pair joined a team of fellow “weedbusters” and got to work. Project Island Song has planted thousands of native trees, and volunteer weedbusters help to weed around these native plants each week (weather permitting) to give them the best chance of survival and reduce pest plants.

Ms Edmonds said, “Being out on the island, listening to the birdlife, taking in the fresh air and being physical was great for our wellbeing and souls. We hope to go back and invite other staff members along to experience and make a physical contribution to this amazing project!”