Just off the coast of Waiheke Island is Rotoroa; a small isolated island that for over 100 years, operated as new Zealand’s first and longest running addiction treatment centre. Its only visitors were those in need of sanctuary and care. Thanks to the generosity of philanthropists, Rotoroa Island Trust was formed in 2008 with the purpose of developing Rotoroa Island as a conservation park for the people of New Zealand. The Trust signed a 99 year lease with the Salvation Army. The Rotoroa Island Trust’s vision is to care for this island sanctuary where visitors can connect with nature and come to better understand conservation, while respecting the Island’s heritage as a place of recovery and renewal through its owners, The Salvation Army. After opening to the public in 2011, Rotoroa is now a sanctuary for wildlife and home to endangered native species including kiwi, tīeke, takahē, pāteke and skinks.