Note: This page recognises Ngāi Tahu's preferred name/spelling for pateke.
Location and getting there
Punanga Manu o Te Anau/Te Anau Bird Sanctuary is set on the shores of Lake Te Anau, and is an easy 20 minute walk or 2 minute drive from the Te Rua-o-te-Moko/Fiordland National Park Visitor Centre.
How to get to the 20 minute walk.
Open times and cost
The Sanctuary is open and free to the public during daylight hours.
Enjoy the Sanctuary by self-guiding and through the activities for children on-site.
Changes at Punanga Manu o Te Anau
DOC has recently made some changes to the management of the Sanctuary. This includes relocating some species and changes to guided tours.
Work is currently underway exploring future opportunities for the Sanctuary. This is being led by Great South in partnership with Ōraka Aparima.
Find out more by visiting: Shaping the Future of Te Punanga Manu | Great South.
General entry
Entry is free for self-guided visitors. However, you can contribute to resident takahē at the Sanctuary through donation boxes on site. Donations can also be made in cash or Eftpos at Te Rua-o-te-Moko/Fiordland National Park Visitor Centre or online via the Te Anau Bird Sanctuary New Zealand Nature Fund webpage.
There are public toilets, picnic tables and a spring water tap.
Birds you can see at the Sanctuary
Takahē
Takahē are the stars of the show at Punanga Manu o Te Anau and meeting these prehistoric-looking characters is a 'must do' for Fiordland visitors. The Te Anau Bird Sanctuary’s takahē pairs support the Takahē Recovery Programme by raising chicks which are released into predator controlled wild homes at around one year of age.
Antipodes Island parakeets
Antipodes Island parakeets are not native to mainland New Zealand and are only found here in captivity.
Our parakeets are part of a very small ‘insurance’ population which was established in case harm befell the isolated wild population.
Pateke/brown teal
Note: This page recognises Ngāi Tahu's preferred name/spelling for pateke.
Pateke are small members of the duck family which previously had the conservation status ‘Nationally Endangered’. Habitat restoration, predator control and captive breeding for release have helped populations to recover.
Birds held at the Sanctuary are part of a breeding programme that has contributed to an improved conservation status for this species.
Other birds you might see
- Tauhou/silvereye
- Riroriro/grey warbler
- Tūī
- Korimako/bellbird
- Kererū/New Zealand wood pigeon
- Pīwakawaka/fantails
- Pūtangitangi/pūtakitaki/paradise shelduck
- Pāpango/scaup
- Kāmana/crested grebe
- Kōau/little shag
Punanga Manu o Te Anau/Te Anau Bird Sanctuary is the perfect place for practicing wildlife photography. Look out for kārearea, the beautiful and rare native falcon who may be paying the sanctuary residents an unwelcome visit.
Things to do with kids
Punanga Manu o Te Anau/Te Anau Bird Sanctuary is a great place to visit with families. There are lots of kid-friendly activities including bird and butterfly wings to take your picture with, kids picnic tables and a mini-shelter with story-stones and artwork.
You can also send the kids off on a scavenger hunt created by rangers for local and visiting tamariki. Before you go you can download the scavenger hunt sheet (PDF, 1037K).
Or you can pick up a laminated copy to borrow from the little green hut beside the children's shelter. If borrowing a sheet, bring a whiteboard pen so you can write down your answers or a notepad.
There are 15 different things to find around the park, including hidden kiwi and a takahē chick. Keep an eye out for the giant-wētā and takahē footprints. Happy searching.