Christmas Newsletter 2025

A year of major achievements

Kia ora koutou and warm festive greetings from all of us at Glenfern!

As we wrap up another remarkable year on Aotea Great Barrier Island, the Glenfern Sanctuary Trust extends heartfelt thanks to our community of supporters.

2025 has been a year of big steps forward, strong partnerships, and renewed purpose. Together, we keep moving toward our Vision for Glenfern as a leader in environmental, cultural, and sustainability excellence — while staying true to our everyday mission of protecting this precious place and sharing it with others.

Volunteer and Community Hub

One of the brightest highlights of 2025 has been the completion of our brand-new Volunteer and Community Centre and five warm, welcoming volunteer accommodation units.

The new hub includes a kitchen, common room, dining area, bathrooms, sheltered outdoor space and roomy decks — everything a hardworking volunteer needs after a big day on the traplines or tracks.

We offer a wide range of volunteer roles to suit different skills, experience, interests, fitness levels, and the ever-changing weather. Training and supervision are provided, and our volunteers are hands-on in conservation work, track care, planting, visitor hosting, and wildlife monitoring.

For years, the lack of volunteer accommodation has been our biggest constraint — so yes, we are absolutely singing with joy, louder than the cicadas in midsummer and nearly as beautifully as the kererū (on a good day).

From the initial idea, to fundraising, to fully equipping the cabins and the central hub, this has been a huge achievement.

A massive thank you to: Foundation North, Lotteries Board, Auckland Council Parks, the Aotea Local Board, and to the many supporters whose donations, hard work, and voluntary contributions made this possible.

Special thanks to Manager Steve Clemow, whose determination carried this project from dream to reality, and to Christine Clemow, whose spreadsheet wizardry stitched all the pieces together.

Extensive new signage across the Sanctuary 

Another milestone this year has been the design and installation of comprehensive new signage throughout Glenfern. These signs help visitors find their way, learn more, and connect with the Sanctuary’s stories — environmental, cultural, and historical.

They also align beautifully with our revised Vision and Mission, ensuring every visitor understands Glenfern’s role in Aotea’s journey toward a predator-free future and its importance as a biodiversity hotspot.

Huge thanks to:

• Sue Warren for oversight and content

• Romina Romera for eye-catching design and graphics

• Steve and Christine, who oversaw the entire rollout and installed signage across the Sanctuary with each sign scoped, designed, and placed with care.

And if you want to dive deeper? Scan the QR codes on the new signs to explore more details on our website. 

Glimpses of ongoing activities at Glenfern 

Community training for penguin initiative at Glenfern

Yacht moored at Port Fitzroy - Aotea's skies are exceptionally clear and dark. It is one of the darkest places to view the night sky in the world.

We are proud to announce Glenfern Sanctuary is a Pest Free Partner. We are committed to protecting the Hauraki Gulf Tīkapa Moana, in particular promoting good biosecurity practices for our visitors.

With our thanks!

Nothing we achieved this year would have been possible without the people who power Glenfern.

To our Managers, Steve and Christine — thank you for your leadership, resilience, and hands-on commitment to every corner of the Sanctuary.

To our Trust Members — your governance and long-term support keep Glenfern strong.

To our Volunteers — you are the heartbeat of this place. Your time, skills, passion, and muddy boots make all the difference.

To our Supporters, Donors, and Partners — your generosity fuels our mission.

This includes the Volunteer and Community Centre, upgrades to Fitzroy House, and replacing our bridge after storm damage. We are deeply grateful to all who walk alongside us.

Still considering a summer holiday ....

From our new Brochure

As summer arrives, we hope you find time to rest, recharge, and reconnect with nature and loved ones. We look forward to welcoming you back to Glenfern Sanctuary in 2026 as we continue our shared journey of restoration, learning, and community connection. 

Ngā mihi o te Kirihimete me te Tau Hou

Warm wishes for Christmas and the New Year,

from all of us at Glenfern Sanctuary.

That's it for the year - Thanks for reading!