Reconnect With Nature
Haere Mai | Welcome
Just minutes from Nelson, the Brook Waimārama Sanctuary is the largest fenced wildlife sanctuary for endangered plants and animals in the South Island. Abundant with native species that both delight and surprise, visitors are able to immerse themselves in the beauty of New Zealand native bush, breathe deeply, and truly appreciate our sense of place and mauri (life force).
Home to iconic species like the kiwi, tuatara, and kākāriki, the Sanctuary offers self-guided exploration across 15km of walking tracks, as well as guided day and night tours. Don’t miss one of the South Island’s top attractions and your chance to hear (or maybe see) a kiwi in its natural habitat.
Lots to see and do
Nestled in Nelson’s Brook Valley, the Sanctuary spans 690 hectares of protected native bush, surrounded by 14.3 kilometres of pest-proof fencing. This predator-free environment enables the safe return of some of Aotearoa’s most endangered species.
The Sanctuary is the largest of its kind in the South Island and the second largest in the country; it is the only sanctuary to feature primarily mature New Zealand beech forest.
- 15km of walking tracks
- 45-minute easy loop walk with waterfalls, sculpture trail, picnic spots and more
- Guided day and night tours
- Home to kiwi, tuatara, the largest population of kākāriki karaka & many other endangered species
- Just 5km from Nelson City Centre
Find out more about our walks, facilities and what you can do at the Sanctuary here.
What’s happening at the Sanctuary?
Translocations, new chicks, competitions, children’s activities, corporate events – there’s always something new happening at the Brook Waimārama Sanctuary!
What’s here?
Meet some of our amazing residents and our incredible flora
Choose your trail
Which trail will you take today? Choose from short, medium and long day walks. Explore some of the best walks in Nelson and immerse yourself in the Sanctuary for a day.
Visitor Reviews
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☔With the recent heavy rain, we`re pleased to share that the Sanctuary has come through in good shape, with no significant impacts.
It`s hard to believe that just over a year ago, in May 2025, the Sanctuary was facing a very different reality. As many of you will remember, a severe storm on caused significant damage across Brook Waimārama Sanctuary and region, including a major slip along our pest-proof fence, flood damage to the historic dam, and the loss of critical monitoring equipment.
The deluge created major challenges for our team, volunteers, and the Sanctuary’s biosecurity systems. The timing made the impact even more significant, as it occurred only weeks after the arrival of our kiwi pukupuku, placing additional pressure on our efforts to protect and monitor these precious birds.
Looking back on that difficult time reminds us just how fortunate we are to have such an incredible community behind us. To everyone who donated, volunteered, shared our updates, offered words of encouragement, or supported us in any way — thank you. Your generosity and commitment played a vital role in helping the Sanctuary recover and rebuild.
The resilience shown over the past year has been remarkable. We`re deeply grateful for the support that helped us through one of our most challenging periods and for everyone who continues to stand alongside us as we protect and restore this special place.
Thank you for being part of the Sanctuary`s journey. 💚
#Sanctuary #CommunitySupport #Conservation #ThankYou ##brookwaimāramasanctuary #nelsontasman
Jun 3
☔Due to the heavy rain forecast for King’s Birthday long weekend, and out of an abundance of caution we’ve made the decision that the Sanctuary will be closed both today and Monday.
#brookwaimāramasanctuary #nelsontasmannz #weather #nature
May 30
Nau mai, haere mai ngā kākā!
Yesterday, we released three more kākā into the Brook Waimārama Sanctuary, joining the three released last month.
These efforts are part of our long-term ambitions to reintroduce a thriving kākā population to the Brook Waimārama Sanctuary and the surrounding Te Tauihu / Top of the South forests..
🌲 𝐁𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐭 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐥𝐢𝐟𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐧𝐠𝐚𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞
Kākā aren’t “park parrots” or open-country wanderers. They’re made for deep, continuous forest.
Most of their day is spent moving through the canopy: climbing, scrambling, and using that curved beak to pry into bark and branches in search of food. If the forest is healthy, it offers everything they need: tall trees, shelter, and the kind of complexity only long-lived ngahere can provide.
Old growth beech forest is an especially valuable habitat. It supports rich insect life, seasonal food sources, and plenty of nooks and hollows that forest species rely on.
Today, kākā are rare to uncommon across native forests on the main islands, so seeing one is a genuinely special experience. The good news is they’ve recovered where predators are controlled, and reintroductions attempts have been remarkably successful.
In Te Waipounamu, kākā have been released into Abel Tasman National Park since 2015 through Project Janszoon, with strong local involvement. Orokonui has also been rebuilding a kākā population since releases began in 2008. Up north, there is a thriving population of kākā at Zealandia and Pūkaha / Mount Bruce.
Our kākā reintroduction efforts are carried out in partnership with @ngatiapakiterato with support from the @world_parrot_trust , @natureland_wildlife_trust , @docgovtnz and @nelsoncitycouncil.
Let them be wild – never feed kākā
📷Photo credit: @fraser.heal
#WelcomingKākā #kākā #theSanctuary #BrookWaimāramaSanctuary #nativebirds #conservationnz #nelsonnz #tetauihu #ngahere #WorldParrotDay
May 27
The soundtrack of a thriving forest 🌿🐦
One of the most powerful things about a pest-free Sanctuary is the sound. With protection from predators, native birds and other wildlife are able to flourish — filling the ngahere (forest) with birdsong from dawn to dusk.
The Sanctuary’s pest-free environment has supported the recovery of native bird populations and the successful reintroduction of species once absent from the region.
From kiwi pukupuku, tuatara, and kākā, to tūī, titipounamu (rifleman), and kererū — the forest is alive once again.
Even the critically endangered kākāriki karaka (orange-fronted parakeet) is thriving here. Following the translocation of more than 120 birds between 2021–2023, the Sanctuary is now home to one of the largest populations in the world, with an estimated 300–400 birds.
Every call, chirp, and rustle is a reminder of what nature can become when given the chance to recover.
🎥Video credit: Hanna Wakeling – captured on a Sunday afternoon from the viewpoint on the Coppermine looking down into the sanctuary
May 25
🍄 A Fantastic Fungi Adventure 🍄
There are still spaces available for our guided Fungi Tours this Saturday at 10:30am and on Wednesday 27 May at Brook Waimārama Sanctuary.
Come and explore the incredible diversity of fungi thriving in the ngahere and discover how these fascinating organisms support the health of the forest ecosystem. Guided by our knowledgeable team, you’ll spot unique species and experience the sanctuary in a whole new way.
Perfect for nature lovers, curious minds, and anyone wanting a deeper connection to Aotearoa’s native environment.
Spaces are limited, so book your Fungi Tour today and step into the world beneath the forest floor.
https://www.brooksanctuary.org.nz/visit/guided-tours-experiences
📷 Photo credit: @chrisbernard1520 recently snapped in the Sanctuary.
May 22
A Fantastic Fungi Adventure 🍄
Come and get your fungi face on at Brook Waimarama Sanctuary!
Join our guided Fungi Tours running in May and explore the incredible diversity of fungi thriving in the ngahere. Learn how these fascinating organisms support the health of the ngahere, spot unique species with knowledgable guides, and experience the sanctuary in a whole new way.
Perfect for nature lovers, curious minds, and anyone wanting a deeper connection to Aotearoa’s native environment.
Spots are limited – book your Fungi Tour today and don’t miss out!
👉 Secure your place now and step into the world beneath the forest floor.
📷Photo credit: Rebecca Bowater
#fungi #nelsontasman #gguidedtour #nature
May 11
