I realised that I had left it far too long to visit again this wonderful Island in the Hauraki Gulf.
An open sanctuary full of native birds, it's a credit to the Department of Conservation and the many volunteers who have planted so many native trees over many years to attract back the native birds.
This whitehead entertained us by flitting around in the tops of the trees along the Kawerau track. If the mainland reserves had the bird life of Tiri, we truly would be living in paradise.
A whole host of predators have to be removed before that day is possible. However a lot of progress is being made and some reserves are now protected by predator-proof fences.