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Aotea Great Barrier is New Zealand’s largest tract of forest free of mustelids, possums and browsing animals.  This means many species have survived here where they have perished on the mainland. Two thirds of the island is managed by the Department of Conservation, mostly within the Aotea Conservation Park.

Kauri dieback is present on Aotea in closely managed localities. Hirakimatā summit and the Harataonga scenic reserve are amongst the most diverse forests in the Auckland region. There are a number of endemic plants found on Aotea that are found nowhere else.