Established in 1998 the Chatham Island Taiko Trust was created to conserve
the taiko and other unique Chatham Island wildlife as an integral part of the Chatham Island landscape.

The primary aim of the newly established trust was to create a predator free
site to provide long term protection to breeding birds. In 2004 the Sweetwater predator free site was completed, and since this time all known taiko chicks
have been transferred here to concentrate and protect the future breeding population.

Following the success of the Sweetwater site, the Taiko Trust has become involved in wider conservation projects on the Chatham’s. Including recent translocations of Chatham Island petrel and tui, two well known iconic
species. For the Chatham Island Taiko Trust this is a natural progression to
wider community involvement in the preservation of their islands natural assets.

The Chatham Island Taiko Trust was the first community conservation group ever established in the Chatham’s. The choice of having taiko as the flagship species for such a group is significant. The species forms an important part in
the islands history, with taiko being a key part of the original Moriori inhabitant’s diet. Then thought to be extinct for over 100 years, before being dramatically
re-discovered in 1978, with taiko now being the Islands most threatened
species. Highlighting conservation gains in the Chatham’s can be hard
fought over many years.

With the major successes under its belt, the Chatham Island Taiko Trust is now determined to further conservation on the Chatham’s by assisting Islanders in protecting and restoring natural values