The South West New Zealand Endangered Species Charitable Trust was established in 2004. Members of the trust represent private, government and iwi interests.
DOC provide technical advice and support to the Trust, who have full project management and operational responsibility for the project. Its mission statement is:
'To establish and fund a world class sanctuary on Te Puka-Hereka for rare and endangered native species of flora and fauna that will be jointly developed by private philanthropists, corporate and government participants.
