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The Maungatautari Ecological Island Trust (MEIT) was established in 2001. In 2006 the ~3,400 ha forested mountain of Maungatautari was protected by a ~47 km pest fence, and most introduced mammals within the fence have since been eradicated. Since then, 7 locally extinct indigenous bird species have been translocated to Maungatautari, one other has self-reintroduced, and many more avian translocations are planned. There are now 20 indigenous forest bird species present (from 12 at the project’s commencement) and the total is expected to eventually exceed 30 species, many of which will be threatened species. Those avian species will be part of a functioning ecosystem that is likely to include at least 50 indigenous vertebrate species (birds, bats, lizards, tuatara, frogs and fish). The avian translocations and the restoration outcome monitoring programmes are described, and some characteristics and values of the project are discussed.