Growing Community and Conservation in Titirangi
For more than a decade, the volunteers of Titirangi Urban Sanctuary have been working to protect and restore the environment of South Titirangi. Their efforts focus on creating a healthier balance between people, native birds, plants, and wildlife — while also strengthening connections within the local community.
One of those dedicated volunteers is Tony Dunn, who has been involved since the organisation first began. What started as a retirement project quickly became a long-term passion.
“I couldn’t think of a more worthy cause,”
Originally formed under the guidance of the local council, the group began as the South Titirangi Neighbourhood Network before evolving into the Titirangi Urban Sanctuary of today. The aim was ambitious: tackle pest and weed issues across 500 hectares of South Titirangi and encourage local residents to become involved in protecting their environment.
In the early days, volunteers faced the enormous task of door knocking more than 1,400 households to build awareness and support. Tony laughs as he recalls it being “a big job for such a small group!” Despite the challenge, the team eventually reached around 95 percent of households across the area.
Like many long-term volunteer initiatives, sustaining momentum has required commitment and resilience. Tony credits the group’s success to the friendships, shared purpose, and enjoyment that developed among volunteers over the years.
Volunteering has also deepened Tony’s understanding of environmental issues and the wider role communities play in caring for one another. During their outreach work, volunteers became aware of isolated and vulnerable residents living within the bush-covered areas of Titirangi. Some elderly community members had become disconnected and reluctant to seek help. Through the Sanctuary’s community engagement, these individuals were identified and connected with support services, creating an unexpected but meaningful extension of the group’s work.
The environmental impact has been equally significant. Through pest monitoring and trapping initiatives, volunteers have helped reduce rodent populations, allowing native forests and birdlife to recover and thrive. Birds such as kererū and seabirds are now playing an important role in regenerating the forest by spreading native seeds.
One of the group’s recent projects involved using thermal imaging cameras to monitor pest activity. During this work, volunteers helped identify the presence of the grey-faced petrel, a native seabird species. The discovery led to collaboration with Waipapa Taumata Rau | The University of Auckland, contributing valuable environmental data and research.
The Sanctuary also shares its monitoring information publicly through Trap.NZ, helping councils, researchers, and conservation groups access long-term environmental data.
For Tony, one of the greatest rewards has been seeing the positive change unfold over time.
“It’s amazing to see the difference being made and to collect long-term data that shows real change,”
Looking ahead, Tony believes young people are essential to the future of conservation volunteering. The Sanctuary has already worked alongside students from Green Bay High School, supporting activities such as repotting native plants and learning about environmental restoration.
“Come and join us,” Tony encourages. “The future is young people.”
For anyone interested in learning more about their local environment, connecting with others, and making a lasting difference, volunteering with Titirangi Urban Sanctuary offers the opportunity to be part of meaningful, community-driven change.
For other conservation volunteering opportunities across Auckland see here
Written by: Azzurra Snelgrove-Douch, Volunteering Auckland Media Team
