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OPENING HOURS OPEN: FRI-SUN 9am - 5pm
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Haere mai / welcome to

The Brook Waimārama Sanctuary – a very special part of New Zealand

The Brook Waimārama Sanctuary is the largest fenced Sanctuary 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 (visitors, our staff and volunteers) 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 here at the Brook Waimārama Sanctuary.

Get Involved; Brook Waimārama Sanctuary

MAKE A DIFFERENCE

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

GET INVOLVED
Brook Waimārama Sanctuary; Children: Students; Education Inspiring The Next Generation; Learning; Rick Field

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
Brook Waimārama Sanctuary; Visitor Centre; Walks And Facilities

SANCTUARY WALKS & FACILITIES

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

LEARN MORE
Brook Waimārama Sanctuary; Green Spider;

OUR NATIVE WILDLIFE AND PLANTS

Discover the extraordinary in our backyard.

Learn More

Find us on Instagram

@brooksanctuary

Share your photos with us #brooksanctuary

There's only a few more days to get your vote in for Bird Of The Century! The pūteketeke might have ruffled some feathers lately, but we all know which bird really deserves the win.... #votekakariki 
Vote now via www.birdoftheyear.org.nz
Workshop alert! ✨✨

We’re excited to be host a drop-in sculpture workshop at our Open Day this Sunday 29 October (10am -4pm). In keeping with our freshwater theme, the workshop will involve the collective creation of a Tuna (Eel), as participants are invited to join in weaving together an array of collected natural materials such as leaves and vines. Be sure to pop-by and join in on the action, as well as kōrero and learn about freshwater species such as tuna as this ephemeral sculpture takes form.

With Free Entry, Our open day is a great chance to learn about our precious freshwater Tāonga, as well as explore the pristine Waimārama Valley. See you there! 

📸: Alton Perrie , sourced from @docgovtnz
Check out this graceful Longfin Tuna/eel that Sanctuary staff found during a recent stream monitoring survey. 

Tuna (like this one) are measured, recorded and then re-released back into the stream as part of our ongoing efforts to monitor stream heath at the Sanctuary in collaboration with @nelsoncitycouncil 

The NCC Science and Environment team routinely monitor awa (rivers and streams) across Nelson, including the Brook Stream. Aside from fish species, they also measure things like water quality, flow & habitat.  Come and see them at our Open Day to find out more about the health of our waterways. 

Don’t worry, no tuna or other freshwater species are harmed during monitoring activities!
Spring has sprung and now is the best time to see Clematis in flower in the upper reaches of the Sanctuary! ❀❀❀

Clematis paniculata Puawānanga is a native climber that is part of Buttercup (Ranunculaceae) family. It can be seen in flower in the upper canopy from October until January. 

Did you know? The Māori name 'puawānanga' is known to mean "flower of the skies" or "child of the two stars of heaven" (the two stars being rehua and puanga). Traditionally, the appearance of Puawānanga star-shaped flowers meant the start of spring, signifying a time for feeding, preparation and for people to become active again. 

📷 : Chelsea Haley

STRATEGIC SUPPORTERS

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MAJOR SUPPORTERS

Sponsors; J&E Reuhl; logos
Sponsors; kumanu; logos
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Sponsors; Simplicity; logos
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