Kapiti Island has been a protected nature reserve since 1897. Many of the bird species living on the island are now rare or extinct on the mainland. A maximum of 50 people can visit the island each day, and a permit is required. You can obtain permits through the Department of Conservation’s Wellington office. Since pest eradication, bird numbers have increased steadily. The little spotted kiwi thrives on Kapiti. Recently, 20 captive-bred short-tailed bats were released on the island, in the world's first successful translocation of bats for conservation purposes. Everything on the island is protected; all litter must be removed and no fires are allowed.
Functional facts: Launch services to the island operate from Paraparaumu Beach.