Photo credit: Jo Moore
Zealandia is the world’s first fully-fenced urban ecosanctuary, with an extraordinary 500-year vision to restore a Wellington valley’s forest and freshwater ecosystems as closely as possible to their pre-human state.
The 225 hectare (500+ acre) ecosanctuary is a groundbreaking conservation project that has reintroduced 18 species of native wildlife back into the area, some of which were previously absent from mainland New Zealand for over 100 years.
Set around a picturesque reservoir, Zealandia is home to some of New Zealand’s most rare and extraordinary wildlife – all thriving wild in a world-first protected sanctuary. Visit the Zealandia | Te Māra a Tāne website to learn more about their mission.
Meet Zealandia Educator, Sophie Williams!
I wanted to work at Zealandia because I love being out in healthy native bush, with the bonus of seeing iconic native animals in their home environment.
A typical day at Zealandia sees me taking groups of school children out to spot plants, insects, birds and reptiles and hear all the sounds including silence! Even better, sometimes I get to be in the sanctuary before the sun comes up, and spot night creatures under the stars.
It’s important to me that everyone gets to experience coming here, as it really is very special. We have had a big part to play in the conservation of threatened species and that has changed Wellington biodiversity in a very positive way. I’m very happy to see that our visitors and volunteers think so too.