Wharariki Ecosanctuary
Predator-proof sanctuary in New Zealand
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Wharariki Ecosanctuary is a wildlife sanctuary within a pest-exclusion fence at Cape Farewell, New Zealand.
| Wharariki Ecosanctuary | |
|---|---|
| |
 Interactive map of Wharariki Ecosanctuary | |
| Nearest city | Collingwood |
| Coordinates | 40°29′57″S 172°41′44″E |
| Area | 2.5 ha (6.2 acres) |
| Established | January 2020 |
| Operator | Farewell Wharariki HealthPost Nature Trust |
Location
Establishment
The project was initiated by Peter Butler, who created a trust in 2017 to protect local wildlife in the region from Wharariki Beach to the tip of Farewell Spit.[3] The Farewell Wharariki HealthPost Nature Trust was registered as a Charitable Trust in May 2021.[4]
The sanctuary has been created in a collaboration between the Collingwood-based HealthPost Nature Trust, the Department of Conservation and Manawhenua ki Mōhua, representing Ngāti Tama, Te Ātiawa and Ngāti Rārua in the Golden Bay/ Mohua area. Starting in September 2019, a 200 metres (660 ft) pest-exclusion fence was constructed above the cliffs at Wharariki, enclosing 2.5 ha (6.2 acres).[5] The fence was completed in January 2020,[6] and the sanctuary was officially opened by Eugenie Sage (Minister of Conservation), along with local iwi, and the sanctuary patron, broadcaster Kim Hill.[7]
Prior to the translocation of burrow-nesting seabirds, the area was prepared by building artificial burrows, trapping pests and planting around the site.[8]
In the Sustainable Business Awards 2021, HealthPost received a commendation in the Restoring Nature Award category, for their work in developing the ecosanctuary.[9]
Cape Farewell prior to the establishment of the ecosanctuary
After the ecosanctuary's pest-exclusion fence was built
Revegetation
Translocation of fluttering shearwaters
In January 2022, 50 fluttering shearwater (Puffinus gavia) or pakahā chicks were translocated from the Long Island – Kokomohua Marine Reserve in Queen Charlotte Sound to the Wharariki Ecosanctuary.[11][8] They were the first species to be introduced to the fenced sanctuary.[12]
In January 2023, another 56 fluttering shearwater chicks were translocated from the Long Island – Kokomohua Marine Reserve to the Wharariki Ecosanctuary. They were transferred due to weather events impacting their burrows on Long Island. It is hoped they will establish a breeding colony.[13] One of the group of volunteers assisting with the relocation was teenage environmentalist Nate Wilbourne.[14]
A third translocation of chicks to the sanctuary was undertaken in January 2024, with 92 chicks moved from Long Island – Kokomohua.[15][16]
In September 2025, the first fluttering shearwater named Yonga, returned to the Wharariki Ecosanctuary after first being translocated in January 2022.[17] In November 2025, the first chick to be raised naturally in the sanctuary area hatched in a monitored burrow. The chick fledged successfully.[18]
