Although on the outer edge of the Hauraki Gulf, Great Barrier Island is a part of Auckland City’s territorial area, geographically a very large part, over 2.5 times the area of Isthmus Auckland. From a Great Barrier Island perspective, Kaikoura sits astride one of the main points of entry to the island, creating by its location one of the finest deep water harbours in New Zealand known throughout the yachting world for its safe anchorage and relatively unspoiled environs.

As a wildlife refuge and potential Outward Bound of the north it has several benefits. The reintroduction of a ferry service to Port FitzRoy, however sporadic, would re-invigorate North Barrier. A reservoir of pest eradication skills have been developed here as a result of private initiatives at Little Windy Hill, Benthorn Farm, Awana, Kotuku and Glenfern Sanctuary where rats, cats and pigs are maintained at very low levels. The advent of Kaikoura as another wildlife reserve would be a shot in the arm for the local vision of a pest-free Great Barrier. Without possums and mustelids on Great Barrier Island it would be a simple matter to eradicate the pests from Kaikoura Island. Then the introduction and re-introduction of endangered species would have an over-flow effect in spreading birds to the adjacent landmass particularly with Kotuku and Glenfern Sanctuaries just across the northern harbour entrance.

The Barrier is already the wilderness destination for Auckland City and the region. It will become more so with the recent Department of Conservation initiative to build more backcountry huts and upgrade and extend the already extensive track system. Port FitzRoy is one of the best natural deep-water harbours in New Zealand. Landlocked, but for two narrow entrances, it is a safe haven in all weathers.

Recognised as a strategic asset during the Second World War, the approaches were mined and the harbour fortified against a Japanese invasion as the logical stopping-off point for an attack on Auckland only 90 kms away. The underground bunkers in Bradshaw Cove on Kaikoura Island’s northern shore, which controlled the Port Abercrombie minefield, could be restored as an added attraction for visitors. The island has its own 600m airfield, orientated SW-NE and capable of receiving the Britten Norman Islander aircraft operated by Great Barrier Airlines. A gravel road has been built across the island linking Bradshaw Cove, the airfield and the wharf in Gardeners Bay.

With no point in the harbour more than 600m from the shore, water-based activities for an Outward Bound experience can be conducted in any weather. Stony Bay on the island’s eastern shore is a logical place for marine-based activities. Protected in all winds from the north through west to south, the upper reaches are ideal for launching small sailing craft or kayaks. This is also a great opportunity to combine environmental education. Already the Windemere Campus of the Bay of Plenty Polytech comes to the Barrier as a part of its Environmental Management Diploma.

There is also some basic accommodation on the island as well as an excellent jetty and floating pontoon so this type of operation could be up and running in very little time. Port FitzRoy is a regular port of call for the "Spirit of New Zealand" with a mandatory tramp to the top of Mount Hirakimata (Hobson) and back.

Like Tiritiri Matangi, in 1940 Kaikoura was 90% grass. Unlike Tiritiri it has regenerated naturally so that now it is 95% in native bush. While the majority of the vegetation is in kanuka and manuka this provides an excellent nursery for planting climax species such as kauri, totara, tanekaha, miro, tawa, kawaka and others. In the valleys and upper reaches of Stony Bay there is a variety of mature native trees including kohekohe, puriri, kowhai, pohutakawa and taraire to name a few. The majority of the Port FitzRoy coastline is under Department of Conservation administration with native bush running down to the sea.