The island restoration programme was started in the 1980s by a group of enthusiastic Forest & Bird members who had a vision of the island covered by native New Zealand coastal forest, full of bird song, and open for the public to enjoy. The island is owned by the Whangarei District Council, and by agreement, is managed by the Friends of Matakohe-Limestone Island Society. Since 1998, the support given by our major sponsor, Golden Bay Cement, has enormously sped up the achievement of the goals set for the island. The Friends of Matakohe-Limestone Island Society Incorporated (1993) is a registered incorporated body under the Incorporated Societies Act 1908 (Registration no: 577365). The constitution of the Society can be viewed here (PDF - 33KB) The Society is also GST registered and is recognised as a charity by the Department of Inland Revenue. Donations to our Society are tax deductible for NZ residents and companies. Membership is open to the public. Annual subscription is $20 per person (or family). Life membership is $200 per person. The Annual General Meeting is held in February each year, with the management committee meeting monthly (third Wednesday, but not usually in January). If you would like to become a FOMLI member, donate, or do other voluntary work for the island download our form (72Kb - PDF), fill it out and post it to us. Also see other ways to help, or phone the Ranger to find out what is involved. A history book of the island was published in 2001 and copies are still available from the Society for NZ$30. With many fascinating pictures, the book opens up a whole new chapter on the history of early Whangarei.

Aims – Revegetate the island with native trees and plants to a point where it is ‘self-sustaining’ (estimated to be 2012) – Release native birds, lizards and invertebrates as the trees grow and suitable habitat forms – Develop walking tracks, interpretation signs, lookouts, rest stops and toilets so that the public can enjoy the island with minimum impact to plants and animals – Increase educational opportunities for learning and research – Maintain a high profile of the island and the support given by Golden Bay Cement – Retain a resident ranger on the island to liaise with visitors, maintain tracks, weed and pest control programmes and to minimise fire risk – Increase Society membership, sponsorship, and active involvement of people in the restoration programme

If you would like to know more about FOMLI, or have any questions or suggestions, please contact us by email, phone or post... Email: info AT limestoneisland DOT org DOT nz    (remove spaces from the email address and add appropriate symbols for AT and DOT. Emails are checked every few days) Phone contacts: - Peter and Cathy Mitchell – (Island Ranger), phone (09) 436 0923 - for boat trips/visiting the island or doing voluntary work. - Pam Stevens – (Chairperson), phone (09) 436 0246 - for information about the Society, the island generally, sponsorship. - Iain Reid – (Secretary), phone (09) 432 2807 - general information, also plant propagation at the shadehouse and knowledge of plant species on the island. - Sandy Page – (Treasurer), phone (09) 434 4217 - for membership queries, donations, purchase of the history book. Postal address: Friends of Matakohe/Limestone Island Society PO Box 1781 Whangarei New Zealand