Our Vision

A 500-year vision

Imagine a secret valley only 2 km from the city centre, 252 ha of native forest ringing with the songs of our rare native birds.

A wildlife sanctuary in the heart of Wellington

This is also a place for people.

The Sanctuary enables New Zealanders of all ages to experience and learn from our precious natural heritage in an easily accessible location.

School parties can learn about the valley and its ecological and human history.

Scientists will research native flora and fauna.

Visitors return at night for a nocturnal tour. Guides lead them through the forest as they listen to kiwi and moreporks, and discover glow-worms. If they are lucky, they will watch kiwi probing in the leaf litter for food.

This is the 500-year vision for the Karori Wildlife Sanctuary.

A world-first

A group walks the Sanctuary fenceline

Karori Wildlife Sanctuary is a protected natural area where the bio-diversity of a square mile of forest is being restored.

• A predator-proof fence, specifically designed to exclude 14 species of non-native mammals, ranging from possums to mice, encircles the 8.6km perimeter.
• The Sanctuary is at present in a degraded state. Flora now missing from the site or rare - including large podocarp species such as rimu and totara - will be re-established.
• Many species of threatened native wildlife will be re-introduced. The little spotted kiwi - one of our rarer kiwi - has already been released.

The Sanctuary will be developed as a major education, research and recreational site for the benefit of all New Zealanders.

A true community enterprise

Karori Wildlife Sanctuary is run by a charitable community trust. Ten trustees chosen for their skills in business and conservation represent the community and various strategic partners including:

• Department of Conservation
• Local iwi represented by the Tenths Trust
• Wellington City Council, from whom the land is leased

Opening of the Sanctuary Trust offices 1995.

A small team of full-time staff are supported by a member network involving 6,000 people and families from the local community.

Other support comes from more than 40 local and national businesses and philanthropic trusts.