Urban Ark – Manawa Taiao formed in 2019 out of a loose collection of volunteer groups focused on native biodiversity in inner west Auckland.
Several groups – principally Friends of Oakley Creek, STEPS and Friends of Maugawhau – were already well-organsied with established plans to protect awa and maunga. Many of the rest of the local groups were backyard trapping groups which had sprung up since Prime Minister John Key’s inspirational 2016 declaration of the Predator Free 2050 movement.
Auckland Zoo’s pest control coordinator, Siân Buley, had a vision of all these groups supporting each other and working together to improve the area’s native biodiversity. After a couple of strategy meetings, the fledgling “Pest Free Inner West” was taking shape. Fortunately, Auckland Zoo had retired the “Urban Ark” branding they had previously been using and generously donated it to us. Siân was also able to seek funding from Auckland Council for a part-time coordinator and office at Auckland Zoo. Paul Whitfield started as coordinator in August 2019, a Trust Board was formed soon after and Urban Ark – Manawa Taiao became a Charitable Trust in early 2020.
Urban Ark retains a strong connection with Auckland Zoo, though we are now based up the road at the Waiōrea Community Recyling Centre.
Our logo
The Urban Ark logo was created by Glenn Jones who was inspired by the native kōtare (kingfishers) he frequently observes around Te Tokaroa Meola Reef. The paired birds form a heart shape, reflecting our desire to be the Manawa Taiao – the heart of the environment. To Māori, the motionless kōtare is a watchful sentry. It lends its name to the pā platform used to watch out for enemies, just as we watch out for invaders threatening our natural taonga.