Nau Mai, Haere Mai, welcome to
The Brook Waimārama Sanctuary – an extraordinary part of New Zealand.
Visit us today!
The Brook Waimārama Sanctuary is the largest fenced Sanctuary for endangered plants and creatures in the South Island.
Just a 10-minute drive from Nelson City but tucked away, immerse yourself in the natural beauty of New Zealand’s native bush. Take a deep breath and engage.
“We endeavour to connect visitors, staff, and volunteers with nature. Our goal is to encourage environmental responsibility and contribute to the restoration of local and national ecosystems. We hope that visitors will experience the mauri (life force), vital essence, and spirituality of this natural environment.”
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🌿 Mapping our Kiwi Explorers
Here’s a glimpse at where our 10 tracked kiwi pukupuku have settled in across the Sanctuary — and we’re thrilled to report they’re all alive, well, and making themselves at home.
We’re now hearing kiwi calls echoing from all corners of the ngahere. Even better? Kiwi poo 💩 has been spotted at the top of the Sanctuary and kiwi footprints on the tracking cards.. These are clear signs that each bird is carving out its own territory and finding the perfect spot to call home.
Kiwi #25 has not ventured far and has made their home right next to the visitor centre.
We’re thrilled to see them doing exactly what we hoped.
#KiwiPukupuku #BringingKiwiHome #BrookSanctuary #SanctuaryLife #WildlifeTracking #LittleSpottedKiwi #ConservationInAction
Jun 10
🎥 Spotted on Night Cam. A Resilient Kiwi 🐾
Amidst the challenges of the past week, here’s something that lifted everyone’s spirits: one of our kiwi pukupuku captured on night cam, quietly going about its business in the ngahere.
This is the first footage we’ve recorded since the flood, and it’s an encouraging sign that our new residents are doing well.
💚 All 10 of our transmitter-tagged kiwi have been tracked since the storm and are alive, well, and actively moving around the Sanctuary.
After a week of intense recovery efforts, this moment is a powerful reminder of why it all matters.
Thank you for helping us protect them.
#KiwiComeback #BrookSanctuary #NightCam #ConservationInAction #FloodRecovery #BringingKiwiHome #KiwiPukupuku
Jun 6
💚 Flood Recovery Update from the Brook
It’s been just over a week since record rainfall hit the Brook Sanctuary, and our incredible volunteers have already been hard at work. Securing the damaged fenceline to the bedrock, they’re helping protect the precious species that call the Sanctuary home.
🐦 Our ecology team is also back in action, tracking kiwi movements and replacing damaged equipment. Hearing their calls in the valley again has been a very welcome sound after the storm.
Thanks to your generosity, we now feel confident we can meet the repair costs. 🙌 Any remaining funds will help us further future-proof the Sanctuary.
He tangata, he tangata, he tangata.
It is the people — our volunteers, our supporters, our community — who make this place what it is.
Thank you for being part of something extraordinary. 💚
#BrookSanctuary #SanctuaryStrong #FloodRecovery #SupportLocalNature #BringingKiwiHome #KiwiComeback
Jun 5
🎉 Nelson — We Did It! $100,000 Raised! 💚
We’re beyond thrilled to share that, thanks to the incredible generosity of our community, we’ve reached our $100,000 emergency recovery fundraising target.
From businesses to individuals and whānau, the support from Nelson (and beyond!) has been nothing short of inspiring. You`ve shown just how much the Sanctuary means to our region — and how powerful we are when we come together.
🌧️ After the flood damage, things looked tough. But now, critical fence repairs are being planned, our biosecurity measures will hold strong and be strengthened to safeguard for future events. The long road to full recovery feels a lot less lonely.
We’re still accepting donations, as many people are still keen to lend their support to our recovery efforts. If there are funds left over after all the repairs/clean-up costs, we’ll use any leftover funds to purchase replacement fence materials or hold the funds in reserve for similar extreme weather events in the future.
From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for helping us protect our precious taonga and our newest residents, kiwi pukupuku.
The Sanctuary stands stronger because of you.
#SanctuaryStrong #BrookSanctuary #ThankYouNelson #CommunityPower #BringingKiwiHome #FloodRecovery #WeDidIt
May 30
💚 Thank You – From All of Us at the Brook
To everyone who’s donated, shared our story, or reached out with support over the past few days — thank you. Your generosity and aroha have reminded us just how deeply this sanctuary is loved.
🛠️ As many of you know, Monday’s storm caused significant damage to the Brook Waimārama Sanctuary — including a major slip on our predator-proof fence, flood damage to the historic dam, and the loss of key monitoring equipment.
We originally estimated the repairs would cost around $50,000. But as we continue to assess the full extent of the damage — including a section of the loop track that has fallen away — it’s becoming clear the total may be closer to $100,000. Work is ongoing, and we’re still uncovering the full picture.
🎥 Our Chief Executive, Chris, has recorded a short video to thank you all — please take a moment to watch it.
This place exists because of community support, and right now, that support is helping us stay strong. If you`re able to share the campaign or make a contribution, it truly makes a difference.
🔗 https://www.brooksanctuary.org.nz/2025-flood-fundraiser
From all of us at the Brook: thank you for standing with us.
And a big thank you to @digitaldiligencenz for coming down last minute to record the drone footage
#SanctuaryStrong #BrookSanctuary #ThankYou #FloodRecovery #SupportLocalNature
May 29
💔 Disaster at the Sanctuary – We Need Your Help
On Monday, the same storm that flooded streets and homes across Nelson also caused devastating damage inside Brook Waimārama Sanctuary, and the impact is serious.
🌧️ The Sanctuary recorded more peak rainfall than during the 2022 flood, and the fallout includes:
🚧 🚧 A major slip on the predator-proof fence, causing a serious biosecurity breach (thankfully detected early and secured quickly by our expert Rapid Response Fence Repair Team — ka pai!)
🌊 Flooding above head height
🏚 Damage to the historic 1909 dam and handrails
📉 Loss of vital detection and monitoring equipment
We’re now facing tens of thousands of dollars in repairs, and work is already underway to stabilise the hillside and protect the taonga species inside.
💚 In the midst of it all, some good news: The two tagged kiwi that had settled near the Brook Stream by the Big Dam — where the worst flooding occurred have both been tracked and confirmed alive, safely up on the slopes. Kia kaha kiwi! 🥹🐦
This sanctuary exists because of the vision, work, and generosity of our community, and right now, we need your help to recover.
🙏 Please donate to our emergency recovery fund so we can restore the hillside, repair the infrastructure, and protect the taonga species inside.
🔗 Link to donate in our bio
Together, we can bring the Brook back.
#BrookSanctuary #NelsonStorm #FloodRecovery #KiwiComeback #ConservationEmergency #SanctuaryStrong #BringingKiwiHome #SupportLocalNature
May 28
