Here are 5 must visit nature reserves in New Zealand. These are great places to see native wildlife in a natural setting on the main islands.
As any of us that live here know, New Zealand has an abundance of beautiful natural wonders. There are the southern alps, the North Island’s volcanoes, crazy trees like giant kauri, and wonderful beaches such as Cathedral Cove. However, a lot of the beautiful scenery is not necessarily the way it was before people arrived to the islands. Luckily, there are many nature reserves where you can see the bush and wildlife that is unique to New Zealand.
What Is A Nature Reserve?
A nature reserve, at least as far as I’m talking about here, means a predator (rats, possums, and mustelids) free area where native plants and animals can thrive.
New Zealand has lots of predator free islands, but I’m not including those here. This list focuses only on the best nature reserves on the main islands of New Zealand that can and should be visited. These all have some kind of predator proof fence surrounding the reserve in order to keep out predators.
5 Must Visit Nature Reserves In New Zealand
Zealandia (225 ha) – This is the world’s first fully fenced urban wildlife sanctuary. It is located in Wellington and is surrounded by a predator proof fence. Zealandia is home to over 30 native bird species, many reptiles, and hundreds of plant species. Zealandia can be visited for a fee.
Rotokare Scenic Reserve (230 ha) – This is a community led sanctuary project, located in Taranaki. It’s centred around a lake and surrounded by a predator proof fence. Rotokare is home to hihi and kiwi among many other birds, invertebrates, and plants.
Orokonui Ecosanctuary (307 ha) – This is a wildlife sanctuary located just outside of Dunedin on the South Island. A predator proof fence surrounds the area, which is home to multiple native species of plants and animals. Within the area is a 14 ha inner fence that protects Haast tokoeka (kiwi), the rarest of the kiwi species. There is a fee to visit.
Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari (3,700 ha) – This is a more recently established wildlife sanctuary that boasts one of the longest predator proof fences in the world at 47 km long! The fence was completed in 2006 and since that time 14 species of mammalian predators have been eradicated from within it. It is located in the central part of the North Island and can be visited for a fee.
Brook Waimarama Sanctuary (700 ha) – This wildlife sanctuary, near Nelson on the South Island, has a 14.4 km long predator proof fence that was completed in 2016. Inside the fence there are many native species with plans to reintroduce many more. This sanctuary can be visited for a fee.