Many plants have been introduced, both from mainland New Zealand and from other countries. However, examples of most of the indigenous communities and ecosystems have survived, and the natural character of the Chatham Islands is still apparent almost everywhere. Protected areas Much of the natural character of the Chatham Islands is protected in a network of areas set aside for conservation. Now free of introduced predators and herbivorous mammals, they are the last refuges for some species. They are managed to protect threatened endemic fauna and flora and to restore the indigenous habitats for those animals and plants.
Visits are by permit only.
The main threats are fire and the potential arrival of cats, dogs, rodents, possums and weeds. Nikau Bush Conservation Area. On Chatham and Pitt there is a network of protected areas managed by the Department of Conservation. The focus of management is to protect and restore natural ecosystems, indigenous fauna and flora and cultural heritage features. A permit is required to enter Tuku Nature Reserve.