Date: 12th February 2025
Extensive predator trapping leads to 18 takahē released in the Rees Valley The 18 takahē released on to 18,000ha of… Read more »
Date: 5th February 2025
Endangered endemic birds flock to Makarora following proactive predator trapping A collective predator control effort over the past 15 months… Read more »
Date: 5th February 2025
“Thanks to lottery funding, the Sanctuary has undertaken work to protect not only takahē habitat, but over 15 threatened taonga… Read more »
Date: 29th January 2025
“On Our Changing World, Claire Concannon heads to the Wye Valley just outside Queenstown. The Southern Lakes Sanctuary project is… Read more »
Date: 31st December 2024
Check out our latest project update. We sure have been busy! Thank you to all for your ongoing support, it… Read more »
Date: 16th December 2024
We made it into National Geographic! Last year we spent a few days with Robin Hammond – a photographer who… Read more »
Date: 11th November 2024
Our knowledgeable herpetologist, Samuel Purdie, has been busy working closely with science communicators at Tūhura Otago Museum, Otago Regional Council… Read more »
Date: 6th November 2024
Listen to our Biodiversity Project Co-ordinator, Samuel Purdie talking about his involvement in lizard eDNA research and surveying Southern Alps… Read more »
Date: 4th November 2024
We were the lucky recipients of one of the two $100,500 Impact100 Wakatipu grants this year! A huge congratulations to… Read more »
Date: 3rd November 2024
“Raising our voice and our profile to ensure that retaining mohua in Makarora is an absolute priority, we are determined… Read more »
Date: 2nd October 2024
“More than $150,000 was raised at RealNZ’s Conservation Ball annual to support the translocation of takahē into the Rees Valley…… Read more »
Date: 26th September 2024
Tourists set to chip in with remote conservation work in Queenstown Lakes District Environmentally conscious tourists can now choose to… Read more »
Date: 19th September 2024
Southern Lakes Sanctuary receives $75,000 to protect native wildlife at Bob’s Cove Predator control at one of Queenstown’s most iconic… Read more »
Date: 16th September 2024
The Hills opens for fundraising golf day Sir Michael Hill and Southern Lakes Sanctuary are teeing up to host an… Read more »
Date: 1st July 2024
Southern Lakes Sanctuary continues vital conservation work Southern Lakes Sanctuary has secured enough funding to continue its critical conservation work… Read more »
Date: 25th June 2024
Check out our latest project update. We sure have been busy! Thank you to all for your support during our… Read more »
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 »
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 »
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 »
Date: 25th January 2024
The Hill family backs local conservation group to help with pest control The Hill family is one of the latest… Read more »
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 »
Date: 13th December 2023
New report reveals kiwi and kākāpo once roamed downtown Wānaka One of New Zealand’s largest conservation groups has released a… Read more »
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 »
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 »
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 »
Date: 7th November 2023
Crowdfunding campaign seeks to raise $10,000 to protect native bird from rats One of New Zealand’s largest conservation groups has… Read more »
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 »
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 »
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 »
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 »
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 »
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 »
Date: 6th September 2023
Southern Lakes Sanctuary to receive $300k boost Conservation organisation the Southern Lakes Sanctuary has today announced it will receive a… Read more »
Date: 19th August 2023
New tech to save Queenstown and Wānaka wildlife Xero founder Rod Drury is the latest philanthropist to assist a local… Read more »
Date: 27th July 2023
Feral cats on the rise in New Zealand Conservation organisation Southern Lakes Sanctuary is calling for the inclusion of feral… Read more »
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 »
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 »
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 »
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 »
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 »
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 »
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.
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.
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.
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 »
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 »
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 »
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 »
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 »
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 »
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 »
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 »
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 »
Date: 7th July 2022
Southern Lakes Sanctuary is one of six Whakatipu environmental projects to benefit from the Otago Regional Council’s ECO Fund.