HALO Whakatāne consists of a huge variety of communities all working at creating an unfenced sanctuary in the heart of Whakatāne. HALO is founded on the premise that we can do more together than apart. By combining talents and resources, building relationships, and connecting people, we are empowered.

HALO has chosen the tieke (saddleback) as its symbol. In addition to guiding Mataatua waka to Whakatāne through the mists of the past, the tieke is a tohu, an indicator species, which can survive in only the most pristine forest habitat. Currently tieke are found in fenced sanctuaries and pest-free islands such as Moutohorā (Whale Island). The real measure of HALO’s success will be whether or not our environment here in Whakatāne is healthy enough to sustain tieke.