It is now possible to become a member of the Maungatautari Ecological Island Trust and make a donation on-line. It is a simple procedure, using your credit card. You can feel safe when entering in your details as the site is protected by SSL Security. If you have any queries with using the service please e-mail the webmaster.

There are now 1,800 MEIT members and with family and annual memberships costing $55 it is a great way to keep those not so close to the mountain up-to-date with the progress and events. For an extra $5.00 a membership voucher can be purchased – just to make the present a little more special.

The Trust is offering supporters the chance to purchase an Entertainment Book which contains 25% to 50% discounts and 2-for-1 vouchers redeemable at a number of fabulous restaurants, cafes, fast food outlets, leisure activities and accommodation throughout the Waikato and Bay of Plenty. The Entertainment Book costs $50 with $10 from each book going to the Trust – order copies through the Trust office.

Contact the Trust

The Maungatautari Trust has produced a set of five blank cards ($1.50 each) suitable for any occasion. Please order these from the Trust office – contact details below.

Phil Brown took these wonderful photos which we have placed on cards. Please note that the colours and font vary slightly.

The Trust is currently developing a series of plant identification signs to help people distinguish which plants they are looking at and provide them with some interesting details.

Jo Carley from Signbank Ltd has very generously donated her time and equipment to make each sign, but to help pay for the materials we are asking for a $20 contribution per sign. Enquiries please contact the Trust office 07 823 7455.

Contact the Trust

The Trust also has its own T-shirts and polo shirts which come in cream and green with the MEIT logo on the front and our by line – ‘share the dream’ on the back. T-shirts sell for $23 and polo shirts for $36.

For the younger members of the family the Trust produced a blue and green T-shirt with the logo on the front – selling at $15 each. Stocks for these are held at the Trust office.

And for the colder weather the Trust has warm dark green fleecy jackets $55 for sleeveless and $62 for the sleeved ones. These provide a bit of shelter in light rain.

Late last year a film crew followed Maungatautari staff and volunteers as they investigated two kiwi nests for eggs. After the initial disappointment of finding Robin’s egg to be unviable they found a fertile egg in Elmo’s nest. A couple of weeks later the team went to check the progress of the egg and were delighted to find the first kiwi chick to hatch on the mountain in more than 100 years.

The film footage has now been made into a documentary style DVD which has recently screened on Central TV and Rotorua TV. The DVD’s are available from the Trust office for $20 plus postage.