News

11 May 2009
More pateke / brown teal released at Cape Kidnappers
60 captive-reared birds released in the Cape Kidnappers wildlife sanctuary .

16 April 2009
Saddleback on the South Island for the first time in 140 years.
For the first time in 140 years tieke (South Island Saddleback) are on the South Island mainland. A partnership between the University of Otago’s Zoology Department and Orokonui Ecosanctuary, with the support of Peregrine wines and iwi, has just brought a founding population of 40 tieke to the Ecosanctuary.

15 April 2009
New Zealand Restoration Projects Impress International Panel
Eight New Zealand conservation projects have been named among the best in Australasia after an 18-month search by a specialist panel.

11 March 2009
Perch successfully culled from Karori Wildlife Sanctuary

31 October 2008
Tuatara eggs found at Karori

20 October 2008
It was with huge shock and sadness that we learnt of the death of Diane Campbell-Hunt on the 7th October while tramping on Taranaki. Diane was a warm, caring, and intelligent person with an affinity for nature, andagreat supporter of biodiversity sanctuaries in New Zealand.She gave much of herself to their physical and intellectual development over many years. She was involved with Karori Wildlife Sanctuary in its early development and wrote a book outlining their experience (Campbell-Hunt, D.M. 2002: Developing a Sanctuary - the Karori Experience. Victoria Link Ltd, Wellington). Shethen moved to Dunedin in 2003 where she became project manager forthe Orokonui EcoSanctuary. As well as being incredibly active in this position, she also was undertaking a PhD at the University of Otago researchinga question of interest to all sanctuaries - Under what conditions are community-based biodiversity sanctuaries sustainable? With regard to her research, she was a regular and valued presenter at the annual Sanctuaries of New Zealand workshop, and had begun to publish widely from her PhD programme. We will greatly miss her strength, wisdom, and advocacy, and some form of tribute to Diane from the Sanctuaries movement is being discussed.

28 August 2008
Draft success indicators demonstrating progress towards restoration in sanctuaries

19 May 2008
Kakariki transferred to Motuihe Island

14 May 2008
Nomination sought for top 20 restoration projects

04 May 2008
Glenfern Sanctuary fence construction underway

29 April 2008
Pukaha ferrets captured

21 April 2008
Whitehead translocated to Motuora

26 March 2008
Scientists create scent-sational rat trap

19 March 2008
Mini-residents move in at Riccarton
Chicks released in project to save Kiwi

29 February 2008
Last move of Hutton's shearwater/titi chicks to Kaikoura Peninsula

28 February 2008
Second wave of shore plover to Mana Island
Morepork thriving areas where rodents poisoned
Unique NZ frogs found to be breeding
Lick of paint to help attract gannets back to Mana Island

19 February 2008
Joy as Motuora returned to 'pest free' state

28 November 2007
Hihi breeding at Ark in the Park

19 September 2007
Rare kiwi thriving on Tiritiri Matangi

31 October 2007
Tuatara take Tuhua a step closer to restoration

13 August 2007
Tuatara breeding on Matiu/Somes Island
9 years after translocation.

13 August 2007
Research news from the Conservation Flagships IO:
Wandering weta—monitoring Cook Straight giant weta released at Karori

25 July 2007
More funding going into saving the kiwi
In the 2007/08 funding year, over NZ$760,000 has been granted for kiwi work nationwide. BNZSKT Funding Allocations

14 June 2007
East Taranaki Environment Trust recieves Environmental award – for protection and enhancement of biodiversity
From the Taranaki Regional Council Newsletter "The Trust has made a huge effort to protect around 3,000 hectares of kiwi habitat in the Purangi-Matau area in Eastern Taranaki. With the support of other organizations and community funds, the Trust has protected the rich biodiversity in the area including kiwi, New Zealand falcons, kereru, fern birds, North Island robins, tui, bellbirds, whiteheads and kokopu. The Trust, with assistance of around 26 landowners in the area, carries out an extensive predatortrapping programme employing over 600 stoat boxes."

06 June 2007
Karori Wildlife Sanctuary to get new visitor centre
Karori Wildlife Sanctuary will at last get its proposed $16.5 million visitor centre, thanks to the Government handing over $6.5 million.

17 May 2007
Orange–flavoured vitamin gel brings bitter end to possums
An orange–flavoured green gel with a Calcium kick and a bitter aftertaste has proved delicious but deadly for possums – and is now on the market as a low–risk, long–life bait that can be used without a license.

23 February 2007
Hihi coming home to Auckland mainland after 125 years
About 30 of the rare birds will be transferred from Tiritiri Matangi Island to Cascade Kauri Park in the Waitakere Ranges on Friday, February 23.

14 February 2007
Kiwi girl joins the boys released into Pukaha forest
An eight-month-old captive-bred kiwi had the honour this week of being the first juvenile female kiwi to be released into the wilderness of the Pukaha Mount Bruce forest.

01 February 2007
New kiwi chick at Nelson Lakes
The second kiwi chick known to have hatched in the Rotoiti project area in Nelson Lakes National Park since great spotted kiwi/roa were first moved there nearly three years ago to re-establish kiwi in the area has been found.

07 February 2007
SanctuariesNZ discussion forum:
A place for interested project staff, scientists and contractors working with biodiversity sanctuaries to share advice, problems and successes.

29 January 2007
Kapiti bats breed, but pups stillborn
Rare short-tailed bats transferred to Kapiti Island in a bid to save a threatened Tararua Forest Park colony have bred, but sadly the two pups produced were stillborn.

22 December 2006
Research news from the Conservation Flagships IO:
Behaviour of invader ship rats behind fences at Maungatautari

18 December 2006
Sanctuaries of New Zealand website launched:
Intended to help managers of biodiversity sanctuaries find and share information related to the complex issues of restoring New Zealand’s special biodiversity. Feedback is welcome.