About Atarau Sanctuary
Atarau Sanctuary is proudly sponsored by:
Atarau Sanctuary provides predator-free sanctuary for Paparoa Wildlife Trust’s roroa / great spotted kiwi chicks, who are hatched at Willowbank Wildlife Reserve and then put in the sanctuary until they are old enough to fend for themselves out in the ranges. While they are in our care, we observe and listen to them through passive bioacoustic monitoring to learn as much as we can.
Atarau Sanctuary is the first land-based pest-proof crèche specifically for kiwi in the South Island and the only facility in New Zealand for roroa to take sanctuary until they are big enough to head out into the world. Since opening in 2010, we have given sanctuary to 49 roroa chicks.
With an extensive planning programme in the sanctuary, and more land set aside for reforestation, we are also working towards long term and widespread regeneration of native forest. Biodiversity is crucial to survival.
Have a question?
We love talking about our kiwi! Read through our list of Questions & Answers, or Get in Touch with your own question.