Sanctuary Beginnings

A 500-year vision starts now

Lower reservoir dam

The old Karori water reservoir catchment had been closed to the public for 120 years. In the early 1990's James (Jim) Lynch, then Chairman of the Wellington branch of the Royal Forest & Bird Protection Society, developed a conservation vision that would see fauna, flora, habitats and processes representative of an indigenous lowland forest restored to the managed area. Read Jim's Story about the founding of Karori Sanctuary.

It is a dream that will take generations to realise.

The Sanctuary Trust has a vision for the valley's restoration that spans 500 years - the time it will take to re-establish the forest emergents like rata, rimu and totara. When these giants reach maturity and the processes of death, decay and regeneration have restarted the restoration program will be complete.

Although the time horizon is long, the most significant work is being done now in these first 10 years of restoration work.

Why a sanctuary for Wellington?

In the Wellington area the native fauna has been in general decline, with most species once found here now locally extinct or extremely rare. With the loss of seed-carrying native birds, the remaining native forests are unable to regenerate.

The effect of possums and other predators made the return of native animal species or an improvement in the native forests unlikely without direct action.

Connecting with our natural heritage

Local Iwi. Photo:www.jasonelsworth.co.nz

Many people know very little about their natural heritage because they have never experienced it. Visitors will have an opportunity for picnicking, walking and experiencing nature within a short bus trip from downtown Wellington. It will provide for the disabled who are often "shut-out" of the wilderness experience because other such attractions are often remote and not suitable for wheelchairs.

The Sanctuary will greatly increase the understanding and awareness of New Zealand natural history amongst ordinary New Zealanders. Local iwi will be involved in the restoration of their natural taonga and in the interpretation and education programmes of the Sanctuary.

No other site in the region has the unique range of features found in the Karori catchment. It is within 2km of central Wellington and is surrounded by suburbs with over 150,000 residents. Over 145 schools in the region are only a short bus ride from the Sanctuary. This is an opportunity unmatched by any other capital city in the world.

World class research

		With Victoria University, Massey University and the Department of Conservation Head Office nearby, the Sanctuary provides excellent opportunities for research. The catchment contains a range of habitats, both terrestrial and fresh water. Containing rare plant species such as northern rata and swamp maire, the valley is large enough to support self-sustaining populations of most forest bird species. The research section provides an overview of past, present, and future research projects in the Sanctuary.
Scientists taking a blood sample from a weka

A record of achievement

Significant work has already been achieved:

Feasibility study

In August 1993 a steering committee was formed to conduct a feasibility study. It concluded that the development of a wildlife sanctuary was not only technically and financially feasible but also timely.

The proposal coincided with recent advances in removing pests and restoration methods that greatly increased the confidence that such an ambitious venture would succeed.

In December 1994 the Sanctuary Steering Committee received approval from Wellington City Council for the formation of the Trust and development of a management plan. Prior consultations showed that 90% of the local community supported the use of the valley as a sanctuary.

In July 1995 Prime Minister the Rt. Hon James Bolger officially launched the Karori Wildlife Sanctuary Trust. Established as a non-profit charitable trust that allows the community to participate in the development of the Karori Wildlife Sanctuary, the Trust and its members are responsible for the direction of the entire Sanctuary project.

That year an interim lease was signed which gave the Trust responsibility for managing the Karori Reservoir while funds were raised and planning completed.

In 1997 a draft management plan was released for public submission. The Wellington City Council approved the final plan in January 1998.

In February 1998 the Trust received resource consent to proceed with the development of the Sanctuary and in 1999 signed a 30-year renewable lease with the Wellington City Council.

• Read Jim Lynch's story about the founding of Karori Sanctuary

Fundraising

In 1998 the Trust brought together a portfolio of community funders who committed $2.5million for the construction of the predator proof fence. Construction of the 8.6km fence started in December 1998.

Pest free

		The predator fence was completed in August 1999. With the Sanctuary site secure an intensive nine-month multi-species eradication campaign was implemented. By June 2000 the Sanctuary was declared free of all mammalian predators except mice.
Minister of Conservation, Hon Nick Smith toasts the completion of the fence (August 1999).

Kiwi return

Dr Hugh Robinson releases a little spotted kiwi, July 2000

20 little spotted kiwi were released in the Sanctuary in July 2000, and another 20 in July 2001, completing the release programme for this species. This returns little spotted kiwi to the North Island for the first time in over 100 years, and is only possible because the fence excludes all mammalian predators that have the capability of killing kiwi. These include cats, dogs, ferrets and stoats.