Islands of hope

A pioneer in offshore conservation work shows how ecological decline can be reversed.

- CHRIS MOORE

AHUAHU: A conservation journey in Aotearoa New Zealand, by David Towns (University of Canterbury Press, $79.99) Islands have always been an enduringly enticing presence in our lives, with their promise of escape, potential sanctuary and new horizons. For leading New Zealand conservation biologist Dr David Towns, the role of the island as a protector has taken on a new dimension. In his new book, he suggests New Zealand's offshore islands can provide the key to ensuring the survival of unique but threatened natural worlds. It's a challenging prospect, but a scattering of seven islands off the northeastern coast of the Coromandel Peninsula might be a practical object lesson in ecological conservation.