Keepers of Quarantine Island - Kamau Taurua
Our Vision

The St Martin Island Community is a group of people who love the Island.

We individually and collectively seek personal and spiritual growth and rejuvenation through our work to enhance the ecological, historical and spiritual value of the Island.

The Community seeks to encourage and model a sustainable, caring and cooperative society.

We welcome all people to share in our enjoyment of and respect for the Island, and to make an individual connection to the Island.

Who We Are:

The St Martin Island Community is a diverse group of people who are drawn to the Island. Most of us live in or around Dunedin in New Zealand and come together for meetings, Community weekends and workdays. At the heart of the Community is our love of the Island. Its life and rhythms really bind us together. Many people have voluntarily dedicated their time and energy over the years and have made this Island a very special place.

Community newsletters:

Summer 2011. Activities over summer 2011, 10 page photo filled newsletter (Download 2.0Mb).

Winter 2010. An 8 page photo filled newletter containing information on past and future events and community news (Download 2.5Mb) .

Our Spirituality:

Nature, and people have always been very important to us. Openness to others, social justice and a closeness to the earth underpin the spirituality of the community. Incorporated in 1958 as a Christian Community with the motto "Work and Worship", we have expanded to accept and embrace many beliefs and cultures and welcome the stimulation and growth they bring to the community. There is much warmth, humour, sharing and support in the times we come together, whether for meals, meetings, community work times or spiritual retreats. Our love of the Island and our desire to live in a peaceful Community is expressed in our belief that our work together is love and mindfulness in action.

The Island Community was named in honour of St Martin of Tours, a colourful 4th century French bishop, who taught by example that work and worship belong together and who was known for his piety, kindness, his emphasis on work and worship, and his outreach in establishing new communities

The Island:

The Island is designated as a public Recreation Reserve under the Reserve Act 1977, and is managed by the Community and the Department Of Conservation (DOC). The Community leases part of the island from DOC and owns and looks after all the historic buildings and the animals. It has deep commitment to the care and sustainable management of the Island. We are achieving this by:

Conserving and enhancing the indigenous forest and wildlife, and using the Island's resources wisely

Honouring the history of the Island, both Maori and European

Welcoming groups and individuals to experience this place, its
magic and sense of sanctuary.

The Island Song

Joining The Community

The Community is open all who have an alignment to our spiritual, social, environmental and heritage values. Please feel free to visit us and join in Community activities on a casual basis to see if you would like to join. Community weekends or workdays are held regularly on weekends throughout the year and specific Community projects may have scheduled times during the week. If you have a passion for social justice, ecology and the environment, the building of sustainable communities, finding sanctuary in nature, or finding peace within, you will find kindred souls within the Community.

2/2011