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Since the pest eradication in 2017, wildlife throughout the sanctuary has increased in abundance. Endemic birds now thrive and the forest understory has regrown. Our goal now is to reintroduce the most vulnerable species that would have once lived in this area.
In April 2021, we released 40 tīeke/South Island saddleback into the Sanctuary. The birds successfully bred before completely disappearing never to be heard again. Another attempt will be tried sometime in the future. Click here to learn more
We followed this up with the translocation (Nov. 2021 – Jan. 2023) of 113 kākāriki karaka/orange-fronted parakeet which are now thriving. The population at Waimārama is now considered to be the largest wild population of this species. Click here to learn more
In June 2022 we translocated 30 Powelliphanta hochstetteri consobrina(large carnivorous land snail) to the Sanctuary. A further 14 snails were translocated to the Sanctuary in September 2022. The success of this translocation will not be known for at least five years due to the slow breeding rate of this species. Click here to learn more
November 2024 saw the translocation of 56 tuatara into the 3.7ha mouse exclosure. Another 7 were released in late April 2025, with further releases to come. Our tuatara have been caught breeding, though it will take up to a year or more to see hatchlings emerge. Click here to learn more
On the 7th and 11th of May we welcomed 40 kiwi pukupuku/little spotted kiwi into the Sanctuary. Click here to learn more
Below is a list of some of the species we hope to welcome back, some quite soon and others in the long-term plan.
- Tīeke (again)
- Mohua – yellowhead
- Kākā
- Hamilton’s frog/pepeketua
- Tohu gecko
- Spotted, speckled and brown skinks(depending on survey outcomes)
- Various insects (giant wētā, giant click beetle)
- Plant species including raukawa, Tupaia, pua o te reinga and Gastrodia cooperae
- Other parrots…?
Brook Sanctuary wildlife – so many New Zealand native species to see!
Tap or hover over the photo below to reveal Maori, English and the scientific names of Brook Sanctuary wildlife and plant species. How many native New Zealand species can you spot on your visit to the Brook Waimārama Sanctuary? Try taking a closer look at the smaller things like orchids, insects and lizards.
If you’d learn more about some of the wildlife species living within the Sanctuary, then check out our endemic species information sheets on our education section, click here to view these.
