Nau Mai, Haere Mai, welcome to
The Brook Waimārama Sanctuary – an extraordinary part of New Zealand.
Visit us today!
The Brook Waimārama Sanctuary is the largest fenced Sanctuary for endangered plants and creatures in the South Island.
Just a 10-minute drive from Nelson City but tucked away, immerse yourself in the natural beauty of New Zealand’s native bush. Take a deep breath and engage.
“We endeavour to connect visitors, staff, and volunteers with nature. Our goal is to encourage environmental responsibility and contribute to the restoration of local and national ecosystems. We hope that visitors will experience the mauri (life force), vital essence, and spirituality of this natural environment.”
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🌿 Behind the Scenes: Bringing Kiwi Home 🐦
On the day of the big release, there was so much more happening than just the kiwi arriving.
From the moment the plane touched down in Nelson with 20 precious passengers onboard, to the slow walk deep into the sanctuary with the sound of waiata drifting through the trees, this was a day woven with care, community, and quiet magic.
Volunteers carried carefully labelled kiwi boxes through the sanctuary. Iwi led the way with song and presence. And at the end of the day, we gathered in the Visitor Centre - tired, moved, and grateful - as iwi closed the ceremony with a final speech.
We also want to say a heartfelt thank you to the local businesses and sponsors who helped keep our volunteers and guests nourished on this very special day:
🥬 @freshchoicenz Nelson
🍊 @chiasisters
🍋 @petesnaturalnz
🍎 @conningsfoodmarket
🥗 Trents Wholesale
🥛 @oaklandsmilk
🥙 Falafel Gourmet Nelson
Every contribution made a difference — thank you for being part of this historic moment.
📸 Swipe to see some of the behind-the-scenes moments from the day we brought kiwi back to the South Island mainland.
#BringingKiwiHome #KiwiPukupuku #BrookSanctuary #KiwiComeback #BehindTheScenes #ThankYouNelson #ConservationInCommunity #LittleSpottedKiwi
May 14
🐣 A Day for the Next Generation 🌿
Yesterday, we completed a milestone moment. The final group of 20 kiwi pukupuku arrived from Kāpiti Island, bringing the total to 40 kiwi now safely home at Brook Waimārama Sanctuary.
But this wasn’t just about completing a translocation. It was about inspiring the next generation of kaitiaki (guardians).
Our Bringing Kiwi Home Competition winners, Luca and Nova (both aged 9), joined the team for this special release.
They spent time with our head ecologist, Robert, learning about kiwi conservation and asking some very thoughtful questions.
As dusk fell, they stood quietly nearby as a kiwi stepped out into the sanctuary, returning not just a species to the South Island, but a sense of wonder to two young wildlife enthusiasts.
🎥 We captured some of their reflections too — and let’s just say, the future of conservation looks bright.
Thank you to everyone who helped make this moment happen. 💚
#BringingKiwiHome #KiwiPukupuku #BrookSanctuary #KiwiComeback #NextGenConservation #LittleSpottedKiwi #ConservationNZ
May 12
🐦 Another 20 kiwi pukupuku Are Coming Home Today 🌿
This morning, the second group of kiwi pukupuku begins their journey from Kāpiti Island to Brook Waimārama Sanctuary — completing a historic translocation that will see 40 kiwi returned to the South Island mainland for the first time in nearly 100 years.
This release will be a quieter affair than the first—there will be only a low-key ceremony, just the same care, precision, and deep dedication from our team on both sides of the strait.
Joining us today are our Bringing Kiwi Home competition winners, Luca and Nova, who will help release a kiwi into its new home — a once-in-a-lifetime moment.
The field team worked late into the night to prepare for this final transfer, and we’re thrilled to say the birds are on their way.
“We have 20 boxed and ready to go… 10:10 sex ratio 🤩”
– Tamsin Ward-Smith, Save the Kiwi
Here are some behind-the-scenes pictures from the translocation so far. Stay tuned for updates later today 💚
#BringingKiwiHome #KiwiPukupuku #BrookSanctuary #KiwiComeback #KapitiIsland #ConservationNZ #LittleSpottedKiwi #KiwiRelease
May 11
🌙 How do you welcome a kiwi home?
At dusk, following a moving iwi-led welcoming ceremony — joined by sanctuary volunteers and many of those who worked tirelessly to bring these birds to Nelson — the first of 40 little spotted kiwi were welcomed to Brook Waimārama Sanctuary.
Each bird arrived in a specially designed transfer box, which also served as their release box. Placed gently on the forest floor, the boxes were opened as the light faded — and one by one, the kiwi stepped into their new lives.
No rush. No noise. Just the sound of home.
🌿 Post-release care is just as vital:
📡 10 males will be fitted with transmitters for monitoring
🎙️ Regular nighttime call counts will help us track their progress
🛡️ Ongoing pest detection and biosecurity will keep them safe
This is just the beginning — for the kiwi, and for conservation in our region.
Ngā mihi to everyone who made this possible.
#KiwiReturn #LittleSpottedKiwi #BrookSanctuary #ConservationInAction #WhānauKiwi
May 8
🚐✈️🛶 How do you transport a kiwi home?
With care, coordination, and a lot of heart. 💚
From the forests of Kāpiti Island to the sanctuary valley of Nelson, each little spotted kiwi will make the journey in specially designed transfer boxes, guided by experienced handlers and supported by an incredible network of partners.
📍Careful capture by kiwi experts using telemetry gear and kiwi dogs
👐 Gentle handling and wellbeing checks
🛶 Boat trip to the mainland
✈️ Flight with @nelsonaeroclub
🚗 Final leg with support from @bowatermotors Toyota
Every step was slow, considered, and grounded in respect for these taonga.
This historic return was only possible thanks to the dedication of iwi, conservationists, and generous sponsors, including our amazing logistics partners.
🌙 And now, the homecoming begins…
#KiwiReturn #LittleSpottedKiwi #ConservationInAction #KapitiToNelson #BrookSanctuary #BowaterToyota #NelsonAeroClub #savethekiwi
May 7
Kapiti Kiwi reporting in! 📍⛰️
Our adventurous little scout has made it to Lake Rotoiti to scope things out ahead of the big move. Looks like the views are up to scratch!
Not long now until the real kiwi arrive… stay tuned for updates!
#KapitiKiwi #KiwiReturn #LittleSpottedKiwi #LakeRotoiti #ConservationInAction #BrookSanctuary
May 6
