Zealandia.
About the Business
Welcome to Zealandia Te Māra a Tāne, the world's first fully-fenced urban ecosanctuary located in Wellington, New Zealand. Our institution, situated at 53 Waiapu Road, is not only an establishment and park, but also a point of interest and a must-visit tourist attraction.
At Zealandia, we have a remarkable 500-year vision to restore the valley's forest and freshwater ecosystems to their pre-human state. Set around a stunning reservoir, our sanctuary is home to some of New Zealand's most rare and extraordinary wildlife, all thriving in a world-first protected environment.
We offer a range of experiences for schools, early childhood education centers, and young people, allowing them to learn and engage with nature. Additionally, we provide delicious food options and wedding and function packages for those looking to celebrate special occasions in a unique and beautiful setting.
If you're interested in supporting our conservation work, we have a shop where you can purchase products with purpose, as all sales contribute to our important initiatives. You can also make a donation to help us keep native wildlife flourishing.
When you visit Zealandia, you'll have the opportunity to explore the outdoors at your own pace or join a guided tour. During the day, you can walk amongst rare birds such as hihi, kākāriki, and takahē. You may even spot prehistoric reptiles like the tuatara basking in the sun. For a different experience, join a guided tour after dark and witness the sanctuary transform as thousands of glow worms and over 150 kiwi roam free.
Zealandia Te Māra a Tāne is not just a place to visit, but also a source of increasing native bird biodiversity in Wellington. By supporting our ground-breaking conservation research, you become part of our mission to connect people with nature and help native wildlife flourish not only in Wellington but also beyond.
We encourage you to plant native trees and shrubs in your own gardens, as this is more beneficial for attracting birds than using sugar water feeders or fruit and nuts. We provide information on how you can improve the lifeforce and biodiversity of your neighborhood's waterways, as well as how to create your own little lizard haven, inspired by our member and wildlife photographer, Holly Neill, and her Mokomoko Manor.
By visiting Zealandia, you are not only immersing yourself in a unique and breathtaking natural environment but also directly contributing to our vital conservation work. We are a not-for-profit organization, and your support goes a long way in helping us protect over 40 rare native wildlife species.
Come and experience Zealandia Te Māra a Tāne for yourself. We are located at the end of Waiapu Road in Karori, Wellington, New Zealand.
Photos
Location & Phone number
53 Waiapu Road, Karori, Wellington, New Zealand
Hours open
Monday:
9:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Tuesday:
9:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Wednesday:
9:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Thursday:
9:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Friday:
9:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Saturday:
9:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Sunday:
9:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Reviews
"Awesome experience toured and as a reserve to just walk around. Highly recommend getting the night time tickets if you are going to stay there two days. You get the night tour where you can see the nocturnal wild life, and then stop by during the day after to walk around at your own leisure to see anything else. The night tour tickets include the day tickets for tomorrow as well."
"What a magical place! We saw so many different birds, and just listening to them sing was wonderful. The walking path immerses you into the forest so you're surrounded by the bird calls. We went in winter and it was still incredibly lush and active. We skipped the guided tour and were still able to identify almost every bird on our map. Highly recommend! The cafe and gift store are lovely too."
"What an amazing spot! We loved the hike, even in the winter weather—and saw so many bird friends. And a reptile! Our family went on the electric boat ride. That guide was knowledgeable and helpful in understanding the complexities of running this place!! I would highly recommend a visit. Had we been there in time we’d have taken a guided tour. As it was, we felt lucky to see what we did and what a respite from conventional sight seeing! If I were a local I’d be there every week, for sure. Thanks for what you’re doing in providing sanctuary for these lovely friends. Keep up the good work."
"A little pricey but worth visiting. Lots of easy walks and some harder trails for the fitter folk. The view from the dam (with the winds) is quite breathtaking. The cafe isn’t very impressive food-wise but a pretty good gift shop and rather accessibility-friendly activity for the day. We spent 2-2.5hours here, possibly would’ve been longer if we weren’t on a schedule."
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