Maungatautari - an internationally significant restoration project, this 3,400 hectare forested, extinct volcano stands majestically on the landscape in the Waikato basin, between Cambridge, Te Awamutu and Putaruru, in the central North Island of New Zealand.

• Two enclosures totaling 100ha in size were completed in 2004. Pest eradication was so successful in these enclosures that a number of kiwi have been released since 2005 and are thriving.
• 47 kilometres of pest-proof fence has been completed and now the entire 3400ha. forest is enclosed by the fence.
• Indications are that the pest eradication across the main mountain has been extremely successful with only very low numbers of mice surviving. Ongoing monitoring and ground based hunting will be required to remove these last survivors.
• Reserve development has commenced with the construction and upgrading of walking tracks and a viewing platform in the southern enclosure.
• A smaller third enclosure inside the main project area has been created around a wetland to enable the initial release of takahe and tuatara. A pair of young takahe have been released in the Tautari Wetland which was generously donated by Taotao and Carol Tauroa.
• Kiwi have started to breed. On 10 December 2007 the first kiwi chick to hatch on Maungatautari in more than 100 years took its first steps out into the world.
• To date 14 kaka have been released onto the mountain.
• Hihi (stitchbirds) released in Maungatautari’s southern enclosure in March 2009 – the first hihi in the Waikato in more than 100 years.
• March 2009 popokatea (whiteheads) released into the southern enclosure – popokatea were last on the mountain 50 years ago.
  
  

Whilst a lot has been achieved there is much to be done to ensure the vision becomes reality. There are a large number of plants, insects, frogs, skinks, geckos, tuatara, bats and 23 species of birds that are currently locally extinct but have been identified for reintroduction to the forest. The Trust also intends to construct further visitor and education facilities to ensure that all who visit have an informative and enjoyable experience.

To ensure the ongoing success of this project further funding is required to maintain the asset already developed and pay for continued pest eradication, further visitor facilities, and an extensive reintroduction programme.