Championing Conservation: The Partnership Between Tara Iti Golf Club & Shorebirds Trust

This article was written by and published in THE FORUM by the Club Leaders Forum, June 2025.

Tara Iti Golf Club, globally recognized for its excellence, is named after New Zealand’s most endangered bird—the Tara Iti bird (New Zealand fairy tern)—a species with a fragile population of only about 40. Situated adjacent to the primary breeding grounds of the Tara Iti bird, the Club has embraced a co-leadership role in conservation, turning its proximity to this critical habitat into a catalyst for meaningful environmental stewardship.

Tara iti - The New Zealand fairy tern. Photo: Sharon Jacobi.

In partnership, the Shorebirds Trust and Tara Iti Golf Club actively manages the property as both an Ecological Sanctuary and a Conservation Research Hub—a ‘living laboratory’ where science, education, and conservation efforts converge.

Spearheaded by the Club’s founding members, a charitable trust was created with a dedicated board of trustees to oversee conservation initiatives. The Shorebirds Trust’s mission is to protect this ecologically significant area, which serves as a habitat for more than 65 threatened and at-risk species, while actively working to restore its rich coastal biodiversity. Conservation efforts include intensive predator control, biodiversity monitoring, habitat restoration, education and training, and cutting-edge research.

A pivotal element of this collaboration was the establishment of a shared Conservation Manager role, ensuring seamless integration between the Trust’s mission and Club’s conservation activities. Together and alongside other key partners, we develop and implement strategic, long-term action plans aimed at protecting endangered species and revitalizing coastal ecosystems. These efforts extend beyond the Club, fostering a conservation movement that now spans nearly 25,000 acres of ecologically significant land.

The impact of this partnership is profound. Intensive predator control programs have removed over 10,000 invasive mammals, leading to a measurable resurgence of native biodiversity. More than 1.3 million native plants have been reintroduced, significantly restoring the habitat. Notably, the latest breeding season marked a record-breaking milestone, with 17 Tara Iti chicks successfully fledging, including six raised through a specialized captive-rearing program—an unprecedented boost for this critically endangered species.

Tara iti Adult. Photo: Jacob Ball.

Community engagement has been central to the success of this initiative both on and off the course. Tara Iti Golf Club members and community members have shown overwhelming support by contributing generously to the cause or actively participating in the annual Charity Golf Tournament. Securing local government grant funding and non-monetary donations by suppliers has boost the partnership’s ability to move forward with conservation efforts throughout our surrounding communities.

Recognizing that New Zealand’s conservation successes are often driven by grassroots and community-led initiatives, the partnership collaborates with iwi, schools and universities, government agencies, and research institutions. This inclusive approach enhances conservation awareness and education for learners of all levels and creates pathways for education, careers, and volunteerism in ecological restoration.

Alongside its recognition as a world-class golfclub, the partnership between the Shorebirds Trust and Tara Iti Golf Club is a model of environmental responsibility. This partnership is not only protecting New Zealand’s most vulnerable species but also inspiring and empowering future generations to take an active role in conservation. Together, we aim to inspire environmental leadership and drive lasting, meaningful change.