Where the wild breathes again
Across mountains, valleys, rivers and lakes, Southern Lakes Sanctuary is restoring some of Aotearoa’s greatest wild landscapes.
We’re one of New Zealand’s largest conservation projects — a vast, community-driven effort to protect endangered native species and reconnect ecosystems to ensure the wild heart of the Southern Lakes breathes for generations to come.
Restoring nature at scale
Join the movement protecting nature in the Southern Lakes
Southern Lakes Sanctuary is uniting community, business and conservation groups in a mission to restore biodiversity across the Queenstown Lakes District – we’d love you to join us.
Takahē sightings
Heading to the hills? You might just spot a takahē in the Rees Valley!
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.
Takahē released in the Rees Valley – a conservation milestone
A group of 18 rare takahē took their first steps into the wild in the spectacular Rees Valley—marking a powerful moment not just for the species, but for conservation across the Southern Lakes region.
Whio survival shows the power of working together
Over the past 15 months, a collaborative predator control effort in the Makarora area has helped reduce rat and stoat numbers, offering hope for native birdlife. The work of Southern Lakes Sanctuary, DOC and Forest & Bird has already seen success, with a whio family and five ducklings spotted on the Young River.
Local Grants: Lottery funding powers Southern Lakes Sanctuary’s fight to save endangered species
Thanks to lottery funding, the Sanctuary has undertaken work to protect not only takahē habitat, but over 15 threatened taonga species in the region, including kea, rock wren (pīwauwau), and the wrybill (ngutu pare).