Tiritiri Matangi Island has attained an international profile as a successful ecological restoration project, and is often cited as a model of environmental stewardship. Ecological restoration on the island has always involved, and been dependent on, voluntary public involvement. Public participation in the project not only reinforces existing links between the public and scientific communities, but also facilitates even greater understanding of ecological concepts outside the professional and academic worlds. This paper examines enhanced ecological advocacy, ecological research and biodiversity management as outcomes of the collaborative involvement among the island's stakeholders, with 'public ecology' as an ultimate outcome.