Zealandia Te Māra a Tāne: A World-First Urban Ecosanctuary

Zealandia Te Māra a Tāne is the world’s first fully-fenced urban ecosanctuary, dedicated to restoring a Wellington valley’s forest and freshwater ecosystems to their pre-human state. This 225-hectare sanctuary has an ambitious 500-year vision to protect and reintroduce native species. It has already successfully returned 18 species of native wildlife to the area, some of which have been absent from mainland New Zealand for over 100 years.

Why Zealandia?

Aotearoa (New Zealand) evolved in isolation, creating an ecosystem without mammalian predators. However, with human arrival and the introduction of mammals, native species suffered devastating losses. Zealandia’s 8.6km predator-proof fence is a revolutionary step towards reversing this damage and restoring the natural habitat. Visitors can see tūī, kākā, kererū, tīeke, hihi, tuatara, and even little spotted kiwi thriving in the wild.

A Conservation Haven

The sanctuary, set around a picturesque reservoir, provides a protected haven for some of New Zealand’s rarest wildlife. Zealandia’s work showcases the potential of conservation efforts and offers hope for the future of New Zealand’s biodiversity. With bird calls echoing around central Wellington, Zealandia is a living testament to the power of ecological restoration.

Explore Zealandia and experience nature as it was meant to be: wild and flourishing.