Island concerts support NZ conservation
'Live at the Islands' summer concert series
December 2010 / February 2011
The sound of New Zealand songbirds will be amplified on some island sanctuaries this summer with a series of musical events that combine concerts with conservation.
‘Live at the islands’ is a series of seven concerts from the end of December through to February 2011 that will add a new element to New Zealand’s mid-summer outdoor festival programme.
The easily accessible islands of Urupukapuka, in the Bay of Islands, and Motutapu Island, in the Hauraki Gulf near Auckland, will each provide a unique setting for evening concerts featuring some of New Zealand’s top musicians.
As well as the chance to enjoy live entertainment after a relaxing day on the water, at the beach or exploring the island sanctuaries, the audience will be supporting two of New Zealand’s important conservation projects.
Both Urupukapuka and Motutapu islands are undergoing major ecological restoration programmes in the hope of returning them to their former natural state and are now predator-free, with extensive native planting that is attracting the return of endangered species.
Summer concert series
‘Live at the Islands’ is a joint initiative involving tourism operators Explore NZ and ARK promotions, and they are suggesting that concert-goers enjoy more than just the entertainment at each destination.
Extra ferries will run and visitors are being encouraged to catch an early boat or travel by private craft to make the most of beaches, historic and archaeological walks, swimming, snorkelling and kayaking before the island concerts begin.
The first in the concert series will take place on Urupukapuka on 28 December, and will feature New Zealand musicians Nathan Haines and the Dream Band, along with special guest Kirsten Morrell formerly of Goldenhorse.
A New Year’s eve pirate party on Urupukapuka Island promises to be a "swashbuckling night" with treasure on offer for the best-dressed, and entertainment by The Dirty Dozen.
The Urupukapuka programme will continue with the Jordan Luck Band and Autozamm on 3 January, Anika Moa and Don McGlashan (5.01.2011), Minuit & Salmonella DJ sound system (7.01.2011), and the Topp Twins (22.01.2011).
Urupukapuka Island
Urupukapuka is a short boat ride from Russell and Paihia, and is the largest island in the Bay of Islands - on Northland's eastern coast.
The first settlers - who arrived on Urupukapuka Island about 1000 years ago - were distant ancestors of the modern Māori. The first Europeans to enter the Bay of Islands were the crew of Captain Cook’s ‘Endeavour’ in 1769. At that time a thriving Māori community lived on the island.
Urupukapuka Island has eight significant Māori Pa sites which form an archaeological walk around the entire island - village sites, gardens and food storage areas are still mostly in good condition. There are 66 archaeological sites on the 208ha island, and many more on adjacent islets.
Author Zane Grey lived on Urupukapuka during the 1920s, using it as a base for game fishing and subsequently establishing it as a world-famous fishing resort.
The ‘Live at the Islands’ events will benefit Project Island Song, a major local conservation effort to restore native flora and fauna to the Bay of Islands.
Motutapu Island
There will be just one concert on Mototapu Island on 12 February, and the 10-hour event will feature a range of top artists including Nathan Haines and the Dream Band, Anika Moa, the Earlybirds, Wellington International Ukelele Orchestra, Kirsten Morrell and Lisa Crawley.
The island is a half hour ferry ride from downtown Auckland, and water taxis will also be available to transport visitors to and from the event.
Profits will go to the Motutapu Restoration Trust which has undertaken a major conservation project on Motutapu and Rangitoto Islands.
Because of the proximity to the metropolitan centre of Auckland the project has provided a unique chance for the community to be involved.
Restoration has involved thousands of volunteers who have collected seeds, propagated plants in the island nursery, and planted over 350,000 native trees.
As well as restoring the natural landscape, the cultural landscape handed down by Māori, early settlers and WWII military residents is also being protected.
Earlier this year bellbirds were heard on Motutapu for the first time in 100 years. Native pateke / brown teal and kakariki /parakeet have also been spotted.