Taiko expeditions – 1970 to present
Since 1970 David Crockett has been undertaking expeditions to help secure the future of taiko, these expeditions are the roots of the present Trust. Initially these trips were aimed at re-discovering the presumed extinct taiko, which was successful on January 1st 1978. From this time biannual expeditions have continued to be conducted to search for taiko breeding sites. Each night bright spotlights are operated to catch taiko as they return from the sea to their breeding burrows. These birds are fitted with radio transmitters and the birds are track to find the location of the burrow. This enabled the first breeding sites to be discovered in 1987, and has helped increase the number of known breeding burrows to 17 by 2009. Furthermore, expeditions help determine the longevity and population dynamics of this exceptionally rare seabird. The discovery of the breeding areas has been paramount in protecting breeding taiko and increasing productivity. Taiko expeditions are staffed almost entirely by Taiko Trust volunteers with many people making an invaluable contribution to each operation.

Sweetwater predator free site opened – March 2006
The opening of the Sweetwater predator free site is a major milestone for the conservation of Chatham Island taiko. The Chatham Island Taiko trust secured funding from the New Zealand Lotteries Board and the Biodiversity Condition Fund to erect over 700m of predator proof fence protecting 8ha of regenerating forest at Sweetwater, a former breeding site of taiko. The predator free site will be used to transfer taiko chicks into, providing a long-term predator free site to allow security to breeding birds. The concentration of breeding activity is considered paramount in preserving taiko. The Taiko Trust secured funding and managed the contract to build the fence, given the isolation of the site this was a logistical headache.

Taiko chicks moved into Sweetwater May 2007, May 2008
Following the creation of the Sweetwater predator free site, all known taiko chicks produced during the 2007 and 2008 breeding seasons were moved to Sweetwater to fledge from the site. Seabird chicks are highly site faithfully and always return to breed from the site they fledged from. This first cohort of chicks marks the beginning of the building up of a core population which can breed in a secure, predator free location. This is considered to be vital for the long term survival of taiko. The Chatham Island Taiko Trust secured funding for the transfer, which was carried out by the Department of Conservation.

Chatham Island petrel returns to Main Chatham, 2008-2010
Following successful translocations to Pitt Island, the Chatham Island Taiko Trust facilitated the return of Chatham Island petrel to Main Chatham. Chatham Island petrels once breed in huge numbers on Main Chatham, but became extinct over 400 years ago due to the effects of introduced rats. Using the Sweetwater predator free site, 47petrel chicks were shifted from South East/ Rangitira Island to artificial burrows built by Te One School children. Fed a daily mixture of blended sardines the chicks grow well for the next 3-4 weeks until they fledged. Returning an extinct species to the Main Island is a rewarding challenge and an important step in re-installing a key eco-system species. Taiko Trust secured funding for this project which was carried out by the Taiko Trust volunteers and Department of Conservation staff and volunteers.

Landowners extend predator control programme – 2008-2011
Three years funding was secured from the Biodiversity Condition Fund by land owners Bruce and Liz Tuanui to carry out predator control in covenants surrounding the Tuku Nature Reserve to improve the quality of habitat for endemic birds, in particular Chatham Island Pigeon, warbler, fantail and oystercatcher. Reduction in predator numbers was also considered paramount for a proposed translocation of tui to the Awatotara scheduled for autumn 2009 Of which funding was secured by the Chatham Island Taiko Trust .

Chatham Island tui returns to the Main Island – March 2009
In the first ever translocation of tui (both in the Chatham’s or New Zealand) the Chatham Island Taiko Trust moved 14 juvenile tui from South East/Rangitira Island to the Awatotara Covenant. The birds were housed in a holding aviary for a week to accustom them to the new location before release. Here the birds became familiar with sugar water feeders which have been maintained since the birds were released. To date all the birds have remained in the wider Awatotara area (ranging from the Tuku Valley to Durham) and continue to regularly visit sugar water feeders. Early indications are that birds are preparing to breed, with a pair seen copulating in September, and the first nest found on October 11th 2009. Overall success will be if birds remain to breed and form the nucleus of a permanent population. Funding for this project was provided by BirdLife International and the transfer was carried out by the Taiko Trust, the first time a community conservation group has carried out a species transfer in the Chatham’s.