Kawakawa Matuku-hūrepo Hui

The Love Bittern Project travels into every region of New Zealand empowering people to raise awareness for Bittern, help protect Bittern and to restore their wetland homes.

Check out our Spring 2025 road trip here!

4 August 2025

More than 50 people joined us at the Bay of Islands Railway station to learn more about Matuku-hūrepo - New Zealands Native Bittern and take a trip on the Bay of Islands Vintage Train through bittern habitat.

Photo Credits: Bay of Islands Vintage Railway

Local schools, youth programs, iwi, landowners and residents living in and around Kawakawa joined us as we walked through Bittern basics and how we can all help Bittern to thrive and not just survive.

The train, where Bittern are often seen along the way, was the perfect platform to view and discuss Habitat for Hurepo giving those who cared for the land there steps they could take to help save bittern from extinction.