The Otago Peninsula Trust was New Zealand's first private charitable trust, registered in 1967. It has an impressive record of achievement, and is managed by a Board of Trustees who are members of the Trust, and volunteer their time and talents. Trustees are elected at the Annual General Meeting. To carry out its objectives, the Trust operates the following properties and businesses:

• Royal Albatross Centre
• Fort Taiaroa
• Glenfalloch Woodland Gardens
• Fletcher House
• Colinswood Bush Reserve - Conservation Project
  The vision of this project is to 'restore and enhance Colinswood Bush by assisting the process of natural recovery.' A team of enthusiastic volunteers, led by Nigel McPherson, work to maintain a programme of planting, tree and plant care, together with weed control, aimed at preserving this native bush remnant.
• Education Programmes
  The Trust runs Education Programmes at the Royal Albatross Centre with funding assistance from the Ministry of Education's 'Learning Experience Outside the Classroom' Programme. Developed in conjuction with the NZ Marine Studies Centre, the programmes are designed for both primary and secondary students covering wildlife, fortification and conservation.
• The Lime Kiln
  These lime kilns were in operation by the mid-late 1860s. Lime was extracted from a hill in the area and fired in the kilns. By the turn of the century kiln use had declined as it was more economic to extract lime from Milburn, south of Dunedin, which had the advantage of being near a railway line. In 1976 New Zealand Cement Holdings gifted the lower kiln, together with the adjacent limestone quarry to the Otago Peninsula Trust. Restoration work began and was supported by the NZ Historic Places Trust. The lime kiln is protected and maintained by the Otago Peninsula Trust and is open to the public to view.

Harbour Cone Revegetation Project

The previous six months has seen a flurry of activity on Peggy's Hill, within the Harbour Cone property. The OPT was successful in its application to DOC's Community Conservation Fund for money to assist in biodiversity restoration of this important site. The objective of the restoration project is to protect and enhance the existing indigenous vegetation on Peggy's Hill and at Stewart's Creek, below Highcliff Road.

By planting the pastoral area between the two existing patches of bush, we will link the two patches and provide a more ecologically viable area.

The large patch on Peggy's Hill was fenced has been fenced off to exclude livestock from both the existing vegetation and the recently planted tree stocks. Five public planting days were held over June and July, with 2200 locally sourced nursery-raised tree stock being planted by 100 or so enthusiastic volunteers. Cages have been placed around each of the trees, to keep the rabbits at bay. Soon, a contractor will be employed to undertake a programme of weed and pest management on this block.

More fencing is planned in the near future and another 2000 trees being planted next winter. Volunteers underpin the success of this restoration effort, so please contact the Trust's office if you want to be involved. Many thanks to those who have been involved in the work to date.

Trust Objectives

• The stimulation of public interest in and care of the beauty, history and character of the Otago Peninsula.
• The preservation of the natural attractions of the area and the protection of the flora and fauna of the area.
• The development of tourist attractions, public and recreational services so that the public may obtain maximum use and enjoyment of the area in a way that will not detract from or destroy its beauty or character.
• The promotion of knowledge of and interest in the objects of the Trust by meetings, exhibitions, educational courses and all other forms of instruction and publicity.