Project Hubs
Southern Lakes Sanctuary works across some of Aotearoa’s most iconic landscapes, with predator control focused in seven key project hubs.
We’re building more than isolated safe zones — by connecting hubs through ecological corridors, we’re creating a vast, unified sanctuary. A new hub in the Richardson Mountains is next, expanding protection for native species even further.
Makarora Hub
Project Partner: Forest & Bird, Central Otago Lakes Branch
Number of Traps: ≈ 1358
At Risk / Threatened Bird Species:
Mohua, yellow-crowned kākāriki, kea, kākā, rock wren, Black-billed gull, black-fronted tern, banded dotterel, wrybill
The Central Otago-Lakes Branch of Forest & Bird began trapping in the Makarora Valley in the late 1990s to protect a small mōhua population. The programme has since expanded but remains volunteer-led.
It operates under the Makarora Predator Control Operational Plan — a partnership between Forest & Bird and the Department of Conservation — aimed at protecting and restoring threatened native species and habitats in the valley.
While mohua remain the primary focus, the plan also supports other forest birds and remnant podocarp forest.
Mātakitaki/Matukituki Hub
Project Partner: Mātakitaki Conservation Group
Number of Traps: ≈ 2424
At Risk / Threatened Bird Species:
Black-billed gull, black-fronted tern, banded dotterel, kārearea, kea, kākā, yellow-crowned kākāriki, South Island robin, whio, wrybill, marsh crake
The Mātakitaki Conservation Group (MCG) is a coalition of 11 landowner, community, and tourism groups working across the Mātakitaki/Matukituki catchment. Together, they maintain traplines along nearly the entire river.
Their work spans a wide range of habitats — from alpine snow tussock and beech forests in the upper catchment to braided rivers and pastoral grasslands in the lower reaches.
Dart / Rees / Greenstone Hub
Project Partner: Routeburn Dart Wildlife Trust
Number of Traps: ≈ 1399
At Risk / Threatened Bird Species:
Wrybill, black-fronted tern, black-billed gull, banded dotterel, mohua, kea, kākā, yellow-crowned kākāriki, rock wren
Since 2013, the Routeburn Dart Wildlife Trust has worked to protect a range of species in the Routeburn and Dart Valleys. In partnership with the Department of Conservation, tourism operators, local communities, and sponsors, the Trust maintains traplines near Glenorchy — from the valley floor to alpine zones.
Key projects include protecting rock wren in the Harris Saddle and Hollyford Valley, trapping along both sides of Lake Wakatipu to stop hedgehog invasions, and trapping around the Dart and Rees braided rivers to safeguard native river birds.
Motatapu Hub
Project Partner: SOHO Properties Ltd
Number of Traps: ≈ 661
At Risk / Threatened Bird Species:
Kārearea, kea, rock wren, fernbird, grey duck
Motatapu Station is one of four high-country sheep stations west of Wānaka owned by Soho Property Ltd. Together with Soho, Glencoe and Coronet Peak Stations, these properties are largely protected by QEII covenants established in 2015, covering 53,000 hectares of private land safeguarded in perpetuity.
The Mahu Whenua programme supports a long-term vision for ecosystem restoration and biodiversity recovery. Combining habitat restoration with predator control forms the foundation of the Station’s conservation efforts.
Wānaka-Hāwea Hub
Project Partner: Predator Free Wānaka
Number of Traps: ≈ 860
At Risk / Threatened Bird Species:
Black-fronted tern, black-billed gull, banded dotterel, Australasian crested grebe, kārearea
Predator Free Wānaka (PFW) was founded by volunteers in early 2018 to protect local indigenous wildlife like birds, skinks, geckos and invertebrates. They work toward this through predator trapping, community awareness and empowering locals with new skills.
Currently, 110 volunteers maintain 18 traplines on public land around Lake Wānaka, Lake Hāwea, the Cardrona, Clutha, and Hāwea rivers, Albert Town, and Luggate — covering waterways and regenerating scrubland. Over 60 locals also set traps on their own properties to fill gaps.
PFW runs education initiatives, training workshops, and events to connect and support these trapping efforts.
Whakatipu Hub
Project Partner: Whakatipu Wildlife Trust
Number of Traps: ≈ 3114
At Risk / Threatened Bird Species:
Banded dotterel, black-billed gull, black-fronted tern, kārearea, kea, Australasian crested grebe, marsh crake
The Whakatipu Wildlife Trust (WWT) was formed in 2017 by the Department of Conservation and Queenstown Lakes District Council to unite and support the Whakatipu basin’s predator-free efforts. The Trust coordinates over 70 groups working to make the Whakatipu predator-free.
WWT’s vision is to foster growth, support new groups and educate the wider community on how everyone can help native wildlife thrive.
Cardrona Hub
Project Partner: Real NZ and Mt Cardona Station
Number of Traps: ≈ 98
At Risk / Threatened Species: Kārearea, kea, pipit, grand skink, Otago skink, orange-spotted gecko, Nevis skink, Lakes skink, cryptic skink, pallid skink, Kawarau gecko, Clutha flathead galaxias (fish)
Created in 2022 by Southern Lakes Sanctuary, the Cardrona Hub partners with local businesses, landowners and communities to advance conservation in the region. We aim to build a trapping network and monitoring programmes similar to our larger hubs.
The Cardrona Valley is vital habitat for threatened kārearea, which nest throughout the area. More than any of our other hubs, Cardrona supports a remarkable variety of at-risk reptiles, making it nationally significant for protecting skinks and geckos.