Haere mai / welcome to a special part of New Zealand: Brook Waimārama Sanctuary, the largest fenced haven for endangered plants and creatures in the South Island.

Close to Nelson city but hidden away, immerse yourself in the natural beauty of New Zealand native bush, breathe deeply and engage.

We want to connect people with the natural world in a way that promotes environmental responsibility and contributes to the restoration of our local and national ecosystems.

We hope visitors will experience the mauri (life force), vital essence and spirituality of this natural environment.

We are enriching the future – come join us.

MAKE A DIFFERENCE

We welcome your help: hands-on or from a distance.

GET INVOLVED

EDUCATION AT THE SANCTUARY

It’s never too late to learn about how we can care for and interact with nature.

BOOK A GROUP VISIT

SANCTUARY WALKS & FACILITIES

Be inspired by our 690-ha protected ecosystem just 6km from Nelson’s central city.

LEARN MORE

OUR NATIVE WILDLIFE AND PLANTS

Discover the extraordinary in our backyard.

Learn More

Find us on Instagram

@brooksanctuary

Share your photos with us #brooksanctuary

As part of an occasional post highlighting our ...

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Feb 9

Open
As part of an occasional post highlighting our lov As part of an occasional post highlighting our lovely native flowers and berries, here we have Aristotelia serrata, otherwise known as Makomako or wineberry. This small fast growing tree is typically found in the under-storey in the forest, but commonly found in gardens in the North and South Islands. It had a multitude of uses for Maori and European. The berries were used for making wine and jam, hence the English name.

Yesterday (Nelson Anniversary Day) we had over 70 ...

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Feb 2

Open
Yesterday (Nelson Anniversary Day) we had over 70 Yesterday (Nelson Anniversary Day) we had over 70 people through, so great to have people noticing we're open for a public holiday. We'll also be open next Monday (Waitangi Day observed), see you there! #nelsonnz #nelson #southislandnz #lovenelsontasman #nzmustdo #nzmustsee #ilovenelsontasman #newzealandnature #conservation #newzealandfinds #newzealandnature

We are open an extra 2 days over the next 2 weeks,...

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Jan 30

Open
We are open an extra 2 days over the next 2 weeks, We are open an extra 2 days over the next 2 weeks, on Monday 1 February, which is Nelson Anniversary Day and Monday 8 February, which is Waitangi Day. Same hours - 9am to 5pm. See you there!

4 Labour MP's went on the guided tour ...

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Jan 21

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4 Labour MP's went on the guided tour yesterday at 4 Labour MP's went on the guided tour yesterday at the Sanctuary. They all loved it. From left they are Helen White, Rachel Boyack (Nelson), Vanushi Walters, Ingrid Leary. Oh! and the 2 blokes in orange are Erwin Oberhumer and John Martin, our intrepid guides. If you would like to hear Rachel's comments about the Sanctuary here is the link: https://youtu.be/1ioV8Ot5B-w

It was great to have 4 Labour MP's at the ...

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Jan 20

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It was great to have 4 Labour MP's at the Sanctuar It was great to have 4 Labour MP's at the Sanctuary today, plus their partners and children. Everyone thoroughly enjoyed the guided tour provided by volunteers John Martin and Erwin Oberhumer. They all returned excited and invigorated by their experience. Included in the tour were local MP Rachel Boyack; Ingrid Leary, MP for Taieri; Vanushi Walters, MP for Upper Harbour; Helen White, MP for Auckland.

VOICES FROM THE BROOK is our new radio show on ...

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Jan 19

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VOICES FROM THE BROOK is our new radio show on Fre VOICES FROM THE BROOK is our new radio show on Fresh FM, Nelson’s Community Radio. The first show will air Wednesday (tomorrow) 20. January just after the BBC news at 9.10am You can listen LIVE via the Fresh FM website: https://www.freshfm.net/ Or you can listen at your leisure once the podcast has been uploaded here: https://www.freshfm.net/Programmes/Details.aspx... A new VOICES FROM THE BROOK show will air every fortnight, Wednesdays at 9.10am, with a repeat of each show in the weeks in between. Happy listening.

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