Blumine Island Conservation Project

As part of Blacks Fasteners commitment to New Zealand's natural heritage we are proud to support a major conservation project currently being undertaken in the Marlborough Sounds. In conjunction with the Department of Conservation, Blacks Fasteners are supporting the relocation of the endangered Yellowhead (Mohua) New Zealand native bird species onto the unique predator-free sanctuary of Blumine Island.

The island is open to the public and easily accessed with a short boat trip from Picton. It is already popular as a visitor destination and has historical interest as a former World War Two military base with gun emplacements and other installations from that time, popular attractions for visitors.

A major part of the Department of Conservation's efforts on the island is the construction of the Oruawairua Track running between Home Bay and the historic gun emplacement.

Oruawairua is the Maori name for Blumine Island and can be loosely translated as the coinciding or meeting of spirits. It has been suggested that the name comes from the meeting of the waters between Patten Passage which is between the island and Arapawa, and the main water flow of Queen Charlotte Sound. The last part of the track near the Home Bay campsite also crosses a stream near where two streams converge, as well as the track being the link between the campsite and the main historic sites on the island.

Work on the track is progressing very well, thanks to the efforts of the central track crew of Gus Johnston (supervisor) and Doug Booth (digger operator) along with a number of other DOC staff who have helped out for days or a week at a time when extra pairs of hands have been needed. 

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