Welcome to The Brook Waimārama Sanctuary – an extraordinary part of New Zealand.
Just minutes from Nelson’s city centre, the Brook Waimārama Sanctuary is the South Island’s largest fully fenced eco-sanctuary—690 hectares of protected native forest alive with rare and threatened species. This is a place where you can reconnect with nature, breathe deeply, and experience the mauri (life force) of Aotearoa’s unique environment.
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.
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💚 Aotearoa Icons: Kererū as taonga
For generations, kererū (Hemiphaga novaeseelandiae) have been treasured as taonga by Māori. They appear in pūrākau (stories) and historically numbered in flocks of hundreds of birds and were thus a major source of food for māori and central to some seasonal celebrations, when the birds grew fat on autumn berries.
Their striking feathers were woven into fine korowai (cloaks), and their presence in the ngahere has always carried deep cultural meaning. In Māori legend, the trickster Māui transformed into a kererū to journey into the underworld, carrying with him his mother’s apron and belt — forever reflected in the bird’s green-blue and white plumage.
📸 Photo by Henry, taken here at the Sanctuary.
🌿 Aotearoa Icons — celebrating the beloved species that shape our identity, from the backyard to the Sanctuary.
#AotearoaIcons #Kererū #BrookSanctuary #Taonga #BirdOfTheYear
Oct 29
🌿 The Brook Waimārama Sanctuary Open This Labour Weekend! 🌿
Looking for something special to do this long weekend? We are open for the long weekend, including Labour Day Monday, so come and enjoy a peaceful walk surrounded by native birdsong and lush forest.
Pack a picnic, bring your friends and whānau, and reconnect with nature right here in Nelson.
🕒 Open Sat, Sun and Mon
🌿Reach further up the Valley and see what gems you find
📍 Brook Waimārama Sanctuary, Nelson
💚 Experience the wild, just minutes from town.
Oct 25
🌿 Guardians of the Forest — Family Sessions 🌿
Join us for a special children’s session of Guardians of the Forest — an evening of nature, film and fun with the Brook Waimārama Sanctuary.
🎬 When: 4.30–6 pm, 29 & 30 October
📍 Where: The Suter Art Gallery, Nelson
🎟️ Tickets: Book now (Link in Bio)
These early sessions are designed especially for tamariki and whānau — interactive, engaging, and full of surprises. Watch our brand-new kiwi documentary, meet the people working to protect native wildlife, and be in to win spot prizes!
It’s an inspiring way for young nature lovers to connect with Aotearoa’s taonga species and discover how they can help protect them.
All ticket sales directly support conservation in the Sanctuary. 💚
#GuardiansOfTheForest #BrookWaimāramaSanctuary #NelsonNZ #KiwiPukupuku #FamilyFun #Conservation #NatureLovers
Oct 24
🌸📸 Spring in full swing at the Sanctuary! 🌿
We’re one month into our Spring Photography Competition, and the ngahere is bursting with colour and life. From glistening kōwhai and fresh fern fronds to playful birds and tiny fungi, there are endless moments waiting to be captured.
Even with a few rainy days, the forest is thriving — and it’s a perfect time to explore, connect with nature, and share your view of the season.
🏆 Categories
• Junior Photographer (under 18) → Instant camera + 2x Night Tour tickets
• Adult Amateur Photographer (18+) → 2x Night Tour tickets
✨ Winners will also be featured in our newsletter, on social media, and displayed at the Visitor Centre.
📅 Entries close 30 November
Take your photo at the Sanctuary, then submit it online:
➡️ (Link in Bio)
This Photo was taken by @henry.__.hart
#BrookPhotoCompSpring #BrookSanctuary #NelsonNZ #NaturePhotography #GetOutside
Oct 23
Déjà poo? 👀💩
If this looks familiar… you’re not wrong! Our last kiwi pukupuku (little spotted kiwi) poo video took off — and this new clip feels almost identical.
Same spot. Same territory. It could well be the same kiwi. Except for one missing move — no cheeky shake at the end this time!
Nature’s repeat performances are never quite the same, though. Each kiwi moment we capture reminds us how lucky we are to have these taonga back in the Sanctuary.
#KiwiPukupuku #BrookSanctuary #ConservationInAction #PredatorFreeNZ #NelsonNZ
Oct 21
🌿 Giveaway reminder - last chance for a little arts + nature magic 🌿
There’s still time to be part of the @nelson_arts_festival x @brooksanctuary collab — a celebration of creativity, conservation, and community.
We’re giving a few lucky whānau the chance to enjoy two very special experiences:
🎬 Guardians of the Forest – our new Kiwi documentary and short films, exploring the people and wildlife of the Sanctuary. With family activities.
🎭 Who What Where Now – a playful theatre adventure through the Theatre Royal, where tamariki lead the way.
If you haven’t entered yet, now’s a good moment to do it.
Simple:
Follow both pages, tag a mate, and you’re in the draw.
- Sharing this post on your story will get you an extra entry
Entries close Monday 20 October, 11.59 pm.
More details and T&Cs via link in bio.
Oct 16
