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.
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.
Spring into Conservation: Six simple ways to help nature thrive in your backyard
As the days grow longer and the landscape bursts into life, spring is the perfect time to give back to nature – starting right at home.
Our backyards, gardens, and green spaces can be powerful pockets of conservation. Whether you live in town, near the bush, or beside the river, your actions can support native wildlife and contribute to a healthier environment.
Mohua make their comeback in the Matukituki Valley
A new chapter has begun for the West Matukituki Valley, with the joyful return of mohua (yellowhead) to the forests of Mt Aspiring National Park.
Once common throughout Aotearoa, these bright, lively songbirds are now one of our rarest native forest birds – but thanks to years of collective effort, they’ve found a new home in the Southern Lakes.
Smarter Traps, Safer Skies: how AI is helping kea in the Southern Lakes
Protecting kea is no easy task — their fearless curiosity puts them at constant risk, even from the very traps designed to save them. Now, high in the Remarkables, new AI-powered technology is changing the game. These smart traps can target predators like possums and rats while keeping kea safe, giving Aotearoa’s alpine parrots a real chance to thrive.