Functions at Karori Sanctuary

Karori Sanctuary is a unique and unforgettable location for your event. It’s the ideal venue for a wedding, family celebration or corporate function. In choosing Karori Sanctuary for your event, not only will you give your event that unique and special touch, you will also be supporting a world-first conservation project – right on the doorstep of central Wellington!

• Enquire about venue hire
• Three venue areas
• Venue hire charges
• Important information about functions at Karori Sanctuary
• Download a brochure (pdf format, 122 kB)

Valve Tower and Lake

About Karori Sanctuary

Karori Sanctuary is a world-first conservation project. Our vision is to bring back the Sanctuary valley, as near as possible, to how it would have been before human habitation. To restore the native forest and wildlife - for all New Zealanders and visitors to experience, learn from and enjoy.

To date a lot has been achieved. Little spotted kiwi, saddleback, hihi, tuatara and the Maud Island frog are now back in the wild on mainland New Zealand for the first time in over 100 years. Kaka, bellbird, whitehead and numerous other rare and endangered species are now back in Wellington.

Karori Sanctuary is a charitable trust and relies on support from the local community. By holding your function at the Sanctuary you will be contributing to restoring New Zealand’s natural heritage.

We hope you will support conserving New Zealand’s natural heritage by choosing Karori Sanctuary for your special event.

Three Venue Areas

We have three preferred areas available for functions:

The Round Lawn

The Round Lawn

The Round Lawn, is suitable for up to approximately 50-60 guests. It can be roped off for exclusive use and will accommodate a small marquee (6x9m).

This location is approximately 50 metres from the Sanctuary’s Visitor Centre and entrance and is  wheelchair accessible.

The Heritage Lawn

The Heritage Lawn, on the banks of the lower lake, can accommodate a large group (up to 250 standing) and a large marquee. The Heritage Lawn is adjacent to the Sanctuary’s Visitor Centre and entrance and is wheelchair accessible.

The Heritage Lawn		The Heritage Lawn with marquee

Please note that the Heritage Lawn provides access to our electric boat and valve tower, so we can not close it off for exclusive use during normal opening hours.

Education House

View from Education House

Or we have a small, sunny basic house, that we call “Education House”, located on the outskirts of the fence that has a lovely view over the lower lake. It is a quiet meeting retreat, ideal for groups less than 20 people. There is some outside lawn area. Access is up a steep path and not suitable for wheelchairs

Other Locations

If you have a preference for another location within the Sanctuary, please enquire.

Venue Hire Charges

The costs in the following table shown are for venue hire and entry for up to 50 guests (only when either the Round or Heritage Lawns are hired). Each guest’s entry price thereafter is $5. The rates shown also include: one preliminary visit to the Sanctuary, consultation with staff, access to a limited power supply, toilet facilities and one staff member on-site during your event. Please note that the costs for marquee, catering and other hire requirements aren’t included.

All prices exclude GST and are valid to 31 July 2008.

What do the charges include?

• Use of the area for the period of your event
• Entry to the Sanctuary for up to 50 guests during the time of your event (excluding Education House bookings).
• One preliminary visit and meeting with Sanctuary staff to discuss your requirements.
• Consultation with Sanctuary staff leading up to, and on, the event day.
• Sanctuary staff consulting with your suppliers on the event day.
• Access to a limited power supply.
• Toilet facilities at the event.
• At least one staff member to be on-site throughout the duration of your event
• Parking

What isn’t included?

• Hire of marquee or other equipment required for your function.
• Catering and food preparation, cooking or heating facilities.
• Audio or visual display equipment.
• Entry charges for more than 50 guests - additional $5 per guest.
• Storage facilities – unfortunately the Sanctuary does not have the facility to store food or beverages before or after the day of the event.
• Rubbish disposal – the hirer is required to dispose of all rubbish immediately after the event.
• Food or cooking utensils when you hire our BBQ.

Cost Example: Marquee function on Heritage Lawn – starts at 3pm and ends at 9pm with 75 guests. $500 + $75 x 4 hours - $800. 25 extra guests x $5 each - $125. Total venue hire = $925.

Booking and payments

A 50% deposit is required to confirm your venue and date.

The remaining 50% will be invoiced after your event.

A refundable bond may be required for your event. This is refunded if the premises is left free of rubbish and no damage to Sanctuary property has occurred.

We hope you will consider Karori Wildlife Sanctuary for your event. Please contact us if you wish to take your enquiry further. There are some specific bio-security and safety requirements which we will have to discuss with you before completing your booking.

Contact Details

Karori Sanctuary
31 Waiapu Road
Karori, Wellington
Phone: 04 920 9200 (International +64 4 920 9200)
Fax: 04 920 9000 (International +64 4 920 9000)
Email: functions@sanctuary.org.nz