Just 30 kilometres away from central Auckland lies the wonderous island of Tiritiri Matangi. Since 1984, thousands of volunteers have planted around 300,000 native trees to restore the habitat and attract 11 rare species of native birds.

A modern ferry service through Fullers360 transports you to and from the island where you can experience an array of activities like birdwatching, strolling beaches, and exploring the 1864 lighthouse. There are no population or shops on the island, so be sure to pack plenty of food and binoculars!

Photography info: For New Zealand Bird Photography this absolutely is a must do stop on your itinerary. Tiri is accessible all year round and the bird life is abundant. I would suggest taking your biggest zoom lens with you and always shoot on a fast shutter speed (anywhere between 1/800th to 1/4000th) as the birds move very fast. A tripod can help you keep a steady hand at such a fast shutter speed but can a little hard to use when the birds are moving around so much. These bird shots were all taken on Tiri Island.