VISIT YOUR LOCAL SANCTUARY
Get up close to rare and amazing native species, and experience how nature bounces back when we go predator-free.
Fenced sanctuaries and pest-free islands are home to taonga (treasure) that can only thrive when we get rid of introduced predators like rats, stoats and possums. Visit one to see what’s possible.
Image: Lucy Holyoake | CC-BY
WHAT YOU
CAN DO
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Round up the whānau or some mates and spend the morning or afternoon at your local sanctuary. If you’re lucky, you’ll see and hear native birds like kōkako, tīeke/saddlebacks, hihi/stitchbirds and takahē.
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Support your local sanctuary by becoming a member – enjoy year-round entry (hello, weekend recharge) and other great benefits. You can also volunteer or donate to make an immediate impact.
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You can visit a predator-free island like Urupukapuka and Moturua (Bay of Islands), Tiritiri Matangi and Rangitoto (Auckland), Kāpiti and Matiu/Somes (Wellington), or Te Wharawhara/Ulva (Rakiura/Stewart Island). Before you go, check out DOC’s guide to visiting pest-free islands, and keep these special places pest free.
HOW YOU’LL
MAKE A DIFFERENCE
Predator-free sanctuaries are great places to get to know the bird and plant life that once thrived in New Zealand. If we haven’t experienced what nature looks and sounds like when introduced predators aren’t around, we often don’t know what we’re missing out on – deafening birdsong, lush forest.
Entry and membership fees help sanctuaries restore nature and bring back our most threatened species. Support your local sanctuary and your community will benefit too, as native species spill over the fence and into surrounding areas.
Zealandia Te Māra a Tāne is New Zealand’s first fenced sanctuary. Before Zealandia returned kākā to Wellington in 2002, these cheeky parrots had been locally extinct for about 100 years. They are now seen all over the city and beyond.
ARE YOU IN?
It takes everyone to make a difference for nature. Every little bit helps.
NATURE'S IN
TROUBLE
Thousands of our native species are heading towards extinction, but it’s not too late to save them.
All around New Zealand, Kiwis are bringing nature back.
RELATED ACTIONS
Bring the dawn chorus back to your little corner of New Zealand.
Join thousands of Kiwis who are giving native species a fighting chance against introduced predators.
Connecting with nature is scientifically proven to make you feel better. It’ll make you want to repay the favour.