News

Project Update V June 2024

Date: 25th June 2024

Check out our latest project update Click here


Explore Magazine – This town in New Zealand is about to go carbon-zero

Date: 16th May 2024

Late in 2023, we took Craig Tansley from Explore Travel Australia to show our work at Bob’s Cove and explain… Read more »


Kia Ora Magazine

Date: 1st May 2024

Earlier this year we took Ben Fahy from Kia Ora Magazine for a walk at Bob’s Cove, to show him… Read more »


New alpine trapline lies in wait for expected predators – Stuff article

Date: 13th March 2024

Debbie Jamieson from Stuff wrote an article sharing the installation of our new trapline connecting the Rees Valley with the… Read more »


Mountain Scene article – Michael Hill … conservationist

Date: 25th January 2024

The generous support of The Hill family has enabled us to install a further 60 AT220 predator control traps. For… Read more »


Stepping up for native species

Date: 25th January 2024

An Arrowtowner’s so committed to restoring native species she’s planning to walk 5200 kilometres this year — or 100km a… Read more »


Southern Lakes Sanctuary on RNZ

Date: 30th November 2023

We’re proud to be a part of the team of conservationists and scientists looking out for the mohua at Makarora… Read more »


Conservationist takes on Grebe project

Date: 23rd November 2023

Wānaka conservationist Petrina Duncan recently took on the role of managing the Lake Wānaka Grebes Project through her role at… Read more »


Amanda from Routeburn Dart Wildlife Trust speaking on our partnerships

Date: 23rd November 2023

Amanda Hasselman is a Board Member on the Routeburn Dart Wildlife Trust, she is also a special advisor to Southern… Read more »


Young Conservationists focus on Shotover wetlands

Date: 31st October 2023

Our Whakatipu Hub coordinator has spent time working with Shotover Primary School students, alongside Queenstown Lakes District Council, the Otago… Read more »


1News story on Southern Lakes Sanctuary

Date: 25th October 2023

1News joined our team in the field to discuss how Jobs for Nature was a springboard for our mahi, and… Read more »


Kia ora Chris, we need to talk about biodiversity

Date: 4th October 2023

We have heard you addressing the many crises and pressures facing us as a nation, but the crisis facing our… Read more »


Huge predator-free zone faces extinction as government funding runs out

Date: 4th October 2023

The Southern Lakes Sanctuary was established with funding from the $1.19 billion Jobs for Nature programme, set up as part… Read more »


Preparing for a possible takahē release

Date: 3rd October 2023

We are working with our partners including Rees Valley Station to create an environment suitable for a possible takahē release… Read more »


Shadow cast over feral cats

Date: 24th September 2023

A newsroom story has shed light on the problems caused by feral cats to our native and endangered species.  Read… Read more »


Group receives boost to fund ‘game changer’ trapping tech

Date: 19th August 2023

A generous $50,000 donation from Xero founder and Queenstown resident Rod Drury has allowed Southern Lakes Sanctuary to further invest… Read more »


Introduction to Southern Lakes Sanctuary video

Date: 10th July 2023

Recently we worked with Jonny James to produce this video showing the area we work in and some of the… Read more »


Paddy Gower Has Issues – Why aren’t feral cats included in PredatorFree2050

Date: 5th July 2023

Recently we were approached by the Newshub show Paddy Gower Has Issues to assist with their story about why feral… Read more »


The Outlet Podcast

Date: 23rd June 2023

Our Project Director Paul Kavanagh recently featured on The Outlet Podcast – discussing our mahi, and how important it is… Read more »


Developing eDNA monitoring

Date: 26th May 2023

For the last year we have been developing a novel monitoring technique that is designed to monitor the occupancy rate… Read more »


Trap Communications Gateways Installed

Date: 24th May 2023

After a significant amount of planning, testing and some more waiting, we have installed the first of three Gateways for… Read more »


Trap maintenance tips

Date: 20th May 2023

One thing you can be sure of as a trapper is that your traps WILL need maintenance at some point…. Read more »


Revolutionary Trial in Queenstown

Date: 18th May 2023

A potentially nationally and internationally ground-breaking reptile monitoring technique’s being trialled in Queenstown and Central Otago – our technique uses eDNA to monitor lizard populations in a non-invasive and cost-effective method.


Quail Rise joins the fight against pests

Date: 18th May 2023

The Quail Rise Backyard Trappers are the newest community group under the Whakatipu Wildlife Trust umbrella. The Trust is one of our founding partners and manages 72 traplines and groups of volunteers in the Whakatipu.


Director General Visits LWB article

Date: 16th May 2023

The Department of Conservation Director General, Deputy Director General and Southern South Island Operations Manager joined us for a visit to the Rees Valley to show our conservation mahi and discuss our plans to release takahe in 2024.


Pestival 2023

Date: 13th May 2023

On 12th and 13th May, we hosted two Pestival hui events in Wānaka and Queenstown. The aim was to bring… Read more »


Director General visits Southern Lakes Sanctuary

Date: 5th May 2023

Its really important that we can share our mahi and ensure those who fund us and plan Conservation in New… Read more »


Trapline installation on the Coronet Face

Date: 3rd May 2023

In conjunction with Whakatipu Wildlife Trust and some keen volunteers we set out a new trapline along the Coronet Water… Read more »


Funding received from Otago Science Participatory Fund

Date: 28th April 2023

We’re very excited to have received funding from the Otago Science Participatory Fund Platform and Curious Minds to expand our… Read more »


Wētā monitoring trip

Date: 18th April 2023

Southern Lakes Sanctuary staff Tom and Sam teamed up with invertebrate specialist Warren Chinn from Department of Conservation for a… Read more »


Tūpiki Trust

Date: 31st March 2023

In March, Dave and Ross from The Tūpiki Trust visited to learn about some of the work the grant from… Read more »


Reducing our carbon footprint

Date: 27th March 2023

We’re reducing our carbon footprint while showcasing our native birds! Check out our brand new leased EV’s featuring fabulous photos… Read more »


Educating our future conservationists

Date: 27th March 2023

Our  Whakatipu Hub Coordinator – Bonnie, teamed up with Jo from Wakatipu Reforestation Trust to teach a group of Year… Read more »


eDNA monitoring and Spitfire trials

Date: 23rd March 2023

Southern Lakes Sanctuary is utilising new technologies in monitoring taonga species and predator eradication. We’re thrilled to be working with… Read more »


ECO cash splash

Date: 7th July 2022

Southern Lakes Sanctuary is one of six Whakatipu environmental projects to benefit from the Otago Regional Council’s ECO Fund.