Where the wild breathes again
Across 850,000 hectares of mountains, valleys, rivers and lakes, Southern Lakes Sanctuary is uniting people and place in one of Aotearoa’s most ambitious conservation efforts.
Together, we are protecting biodiversity on a landscape scale and creating a future where native species can flourish.
Restoring nature at scale
Join the movement protecting nature in the Southern Lakes
Southern Lakes Sanctuary is uniting conservation groups, community and business in a mission to restore biodiversity across the Queenstown Lakes District – we’d love you to join us.
Latest news from the Sanctuary
Stories from the rugged peaks, valleys and waters of the Southern Lakes — discover progress, people and projects driving biodiversity, native species recovery and conservation action.
Hugo backs conservation with new support for Southern Lakes Sanctuary
A new BYD Shark ute is set to become a familiar sight across the Southern Lakes, helping Southern Lakes Sanctuary teams reach remote conservation sites, protect native wildlife and support the recovery of threatened species.
Made possible with support from Hugo Charitable Trust, the new vehicle will help our field teams get out there and deliver the practical conservation work that underpins biodiversity recovery across the region.
Project Update IX June 2026
Our latest project report showcases the progress made across the Southern Lakes over the past six months. From encouraging breeding success for threatened native species and expanding predator control into new landscapes, to strengthening partnerships and embracing innovative monitoring techniques, every milestone brings us closer to a connected, resilient ecosystem.
Listening to the forest: how acoustic monitoring is transforming mohua conservation in the Southern Lakes
For the past four years, Southern Lakes Sanctuary has been working with Digilab NZ to develop and refine acoustic monitoring techniques for mohua in the Makarora Valley. By combining automated sound recorders, artificial intelligence and traditional field observations, we are gaining a deeper understanding of mohua behaviour and the wider forest ecosystem than ever before.