The St Martin Island Community is involved in many ongoing projects, both on and off the island. We welcome people to come and help progress them, each according to their interests and skills.

History

The Island was awarded the status of an Historic Area by the Historic Places Trust in 2001, and the Community makes as much information as possible available to all those visitors interested in the history of the Island. A book 'Quarantine Island/KamauTaurua- A short History was written and published in 2008. It is available from Libraries, the University Bookstore (UBS) or the Community (contact us).

A major current project is the weather proofing and protection of the last remaining building in the 1870's quarantine station. This is a large prominent 2 storied building which was once the 'Married quarters' and housed families in Quarantine. It is now officially saved! The exterior is restored with interior still to go.

We gratefully acknowledge - Major financial contributions from Lotteries Environment and Heritage, The Otago Community Trust and Community Organisation Grants Scheme (COGS).

Generous contributions from the Sargood Bequest, Perpetual Trustees, Dunedin Casino, Dunedin Heritage Fund, Bendigo Valley Sports and Charity Foundation, and The Dunedin Amenities Society

Contributions of materials and labour from Peter Mason, Dave Collett, South Bar, Naylor Love Construction, Bramwells Scaffolding and Resenes paints.

Thanks to Kathy Morrison and Guy Williams for overseeing and driving the project. Thanks also to many other smaller contributors of funding and help, without whom this building would have been lost.

Access

We are currently improving access by making the pathway/track to the historic buildings a little easier. Thanks to the Bendigo Valley Sports and Charity Foundation and Dunedin Amenities Society for generous fionancial help with this. We have also recently improved access ladders onto the Jetty. Thanks to John of the VJ for this.

Conservation

Restoration of the native bush on the Island is an ongoing project. We aim to complete extending bush areas to all the scarp areas round the Island in the near future and optimise the balance between natural, historical, social and cultural values on the Island by ensuring that only local varieties of plants are planted on the Island, so as to maintain the original habitat as far as possible

Following strict procedures for all planting and maintenance work to ensure plants survive and prosper in this often harsh environment. Removing weeds such as broom, gorse (including by shading out), Darwin’s Barberry, and garden or exotic varieties of native plants from these areas

This conservation is aided greatly by visitors to the Island, you can help.

Sustainability

The Community values the concept of sustainability. We try to ensure that the residents and visitors on the Island follow the guidelines established by the NZ Sustainable Households project supported by the Ministry for the Environment.
The Community also hopes at some stage to install appropriate solar and wind energy equipment, partly to encourage interest in these technologies by allowing visitors to use them, as well as to improve our own energy management.

Wherever possible, the Community purchases goods which are produced using sustainably managed resources. The Island is currently the only certified ‘Trade Aid’ island in New Zealand.

The Community has been involved in many '350' actions in 2009. In 2010 we aimed to reduce emissions by a further 10% (10/10). This was be difficult as we already use many low emission practices, conserving electricity and fuel.

Conservation Ideas are welcome, current ideas include simple practical measures - better insulation, less hot water use, to more exotic ideas: wind, methane or tidal power.

More Information

History:

Hard Work Restoring History of Quarantine