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.
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Did you know that moa may have been responsible for dispersing the spores of New Zealand mushrooms?!
Fossil moa poo have been found containing spores of our bright and truffle-like fungi species.
While the moa are long since extinct, the fungi remain common today, especially in the Sanctuary. The scarlet berry truffle, and scarlet pouch fungus are easily mistaken for kareo fruit, or supplejack. This may be a key to their dispersal method... deception!
This is one of the many examples of the evolutionary vestiges in the ecosystems of Aotearoa, having recently lost one of the driving forces of our terrestrial ecosystems. Though the whole world has lost their megafauna, few have lost large herbivorous flightless birds like us.
#moa #fungi #brookwaimaramasanctuary #birds #wildlife #sanctuary
Jul 31
Last week, we met with Alix from @natureland_wildlife_trust for a translocation catch-up.
Natureland has been a great support setting us up with the knowledge and hands-on guidance on how to care for Nelson’s new kākā.
Alix confirms that the kākā have gained a healthy amount of weight - which is a good thing during these cold winter days when natural foraging opportunities start to become scarce.
On the menu for the kākā are nutrient dense breeder pellets which are fed in the hopper-feeders which you can see next to the aviary, as well as nectar dough and fruit which are hidden in trees to encourage the natural foraging behaviour of the birds. In future, the young kākā will increasingly learn to find their own food in the ngahere and eventually will no longer rely on our supplementary feeding.
Please, never feed a kākā yourself, as there are many human-foods which can seriously harm or kill kākā! Also, getting in close contact with wildlife, can lead to injuries and the spread of diseases. The best way to help our manu to get through the tough winter months, is to plant native plants!
But how do you weigh a kākā? We check the weight of our birds as regularly as possible - a piece of fruit is stuck on a metal wire which is attached to a branch on a scale. To get the fruit, the kākā must hop on the branch. A staff member then can get a quick look at how heavy the bird is.
A special acknowledgement to @ngatiapakiterato for their support in this role as kaitiaki.
📷 Photo credit: Nancy Holden and Steffi Kuenstle
Jul 29
Brook Waimārama Sanctuary is the South Island`s largest fully fenced eco-sanctuary, protecting 690 hectares of native forest just minutes from Nelson city. Our mission is to restore a thriving, pest-free ecosystem where New Zealand`s endangered wildlife can flourish.
Thanks to the support of our community, visitors, staff, volunteers, and partners, we have successfully reintroduced kiwi pukupuku, tuatara, kākā, kākāriki karaka, and giant Powelliphanta land snails. Each milestone brings us one step closer to restoring a healthy native forest for future generations.
Every visit, donation, membership, and act of support helps bring this vision to life. These contributions directly support vital conservation work, including habitat restoration, species monitoring, biosecurity, environmental education, and community engagement. They also empower our dedicated staff and volunteers to continue protecting native wildlife and inspiring others to become kaitiaki of our natural environment.
There are many ways you can support Brook Waimārama Sanctuary. Become a Sanctuary Member, join as a Business Supporter, volunteer your time, make a donation, or simply visit the Sanctuary. Every contribution, no matter how big or small, helps protect our native wildlife and ensures this special place continues to thrive.
Together, we are making a lasting impact—restoring biodiversity, safeguarding threatened species, and creating a legacy where nature can flourish for generations to come.
📷Photo credits: kākāriki karaka & kiwi pukupuku - Sean McGrath, Top Weir Dam by Will Bixley.
Jul 27
Autumn Photography Competition Winners 📷🍁
We’re excited to announce the winners of our Autumn Photography Competition:
📷Amateur Winner: Paul Gardner — a stunning shot of a Silvereye, Tauhou
📷Junior Winner: Matti Raven — a beautiful image of fungi
A huge thank you to everyone who entered. We received 26 stunning photos from 6 photographers and loved seeing the Sanctuary through your lenses.
Prints of both winning images will also be displayed at the Visitor Centre.
@nelsoncityframers will be producing these beautiful images as prints, to be awarded to Paul and Matti.
Now it’s your turn! Entries for the Winter Photography Competition are still open until 31 August 2026! www.brooksanctuary.org.nz/photography-competition
Head out on the tracks, keep your eyes open for those special ngahere moments, and see what you can discover—from native birds and beautiful plants to fascinating fungi. Start snapping, and we can`t wait to see the amazing photos you capture!
#BrookPhotoCompAutumn #brookwaimaramasanctuary #photocomp #nature_lovers
Jul 22
🐦H5 bird flu (HPAI H5N1) Avian Influenza was recently been detected in Wellington, and you might wonder what you can do to keep our manu safe.
There are a few easy steps you can take:
▪️Clean your shoes, clothing and tools after having worked in areas where birds congregate (shoreline, zoo, poultry farms, duck pond, and so on),
▪️Clean your shoes before visiting the Sanctuary if you have been in areas where birds congregate or if you keep any outside pet birds at home.
What best to do if you find sick or dead birds?
💚Always stay away from sick or dead birds,
💚Outside the Sanctuary, if you find more than three wild, sick or dead birds inform MPI on 0800 80 99 66,
💚Inside the Sanctuary, inform a staff member at the Visitor Centre. If you could show us a video or photo and describe the location where the bird was found that would be most helpful.
💚Please don’t bring sick or injured wildlife to the Sanctuary.
For further information, please check the Ministry of Health, DOC, or MPI website.
Thank you so much for your support!
Protecting wildlife from bird flu: know what to do: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TLCgdAZdTBw
Jul 19
Waimārama Wilding Ale 🍻
We`re excited to celebrate the launch of Waimārama Wilding Ale, brewed by @alimentbrewing with help from Wilding, a native NZ yeast captured & cultivated by Ryan & Simon of @frothtech – a delicious amber farmhouse ale crafted to support conservation at Brook Waimārama Sanctuary.
5.8% Waimārama Wilding Ale is all moreish banana underpinned with bright citrus, refreshing effervescence & lovely body. A special beer for a special place!
Find your nearest local and grab a pint! 🍺 Big, beautiful 500ml cans are starting to make their way across New Zealand, with the first pours happening from Saturday, 18 July.
Keep an eye out at your favourite local and be among the first to enjoy one!
Thanks to the team at Aliment Brewing, Froth Technologies and suppliers for donating cans, labels, hops, malt & kegs to make this effort incredible!
Colourcraft, Label & Litho, Bintani, Recorp, Konvoy, Gladfield Malt
#alimentbrewing #wildingyeast #brookwaimārama #staywild #nzfarmhouseale
Jul 17
