Orokonui Ecosanctuary

Orokonui Ecosanctuary, known in Māori as Te Korowai o Mihiwaka, is a wildlife reserve and conservation tourism project in the Orokonui Valley, approximately 20 kilometres north of central Dunedin, New Zealand. It was developed by the charitable Otago Natural History Trust with support from local Māori representatives, public donors, government conservation agencies, regional funders and businesses. The project combines ecological restoration, protection of native species, environmental education and visitor experiences. The sanctuary occupies a north-facing valley containing approximately 290 hectares of regenerating native forest. Its principal conservation infrastructure is a specialised predator-exclusion fence intended to keep introduced mammals—including rats, mice, possums, stoats, ferrets and cats—out of the enclosed habitat. The fence uses fine stainless-steel mesh, a ground skirt to prevent burrowing, a curved upper hood to deter climbing animals, screened culverts for waterways and double-gate access points. This design reflects the sanctuary's central ecological strategy: restore a relatively secure mainland habitat without relying exclusively on an offshore island location. The idea of establishing a wildlife sanctuary near Dunedin originated in 1982 among Burton Silver and associates. An early 1983 proposal to convert a fertiliser factory into a large aviary was abandoned, but it contributed to the creation of the Otago Natural History Trust in August that year. The sanctuary concept later lost momentum before being revived in the mid-1990s after the opening of Zealandia, then known as Karori Wildlife Sanctuary, in Wellington. Ralph Allen helped renew the proposal, while Kāti Huirapa of Puketeraki became a supporter of the initiative. Formal site planning advanced during the 2000s. The trust obtained use of approximately 230 hectares of the Orokonui Conservation Area from the New Zealand Department of Conservation and acquired or received additional adjoining land. A fundraising appeal began in 2005, followed by campaigns involving withdrawn New Zealand five-cent coins and sponsored fence posts. Construction of the approximately nine-kilometre predator fence began in December 2006. The enclosure was completed in 2007, after which pest-control work, habitat planting and species reintroduction began. Conservation work has included the removal of goats and possums, aerial distribution of brodifacoum bait within the enclosed area, planting of native seedlings and the creation of lizard habitat. The project has also reintroduced or hosted native species that historically occurred in the region. South Island kākā arrived in 2007, fifteen tuatara were transferred from the University of Otago in 2009, and South Island saddlebacks were introduced later in 2009. Pūkeko and paradise ducks established themselves naturally after the enclosure and habitat work. The sanctuary has also been associated with a breeding pair of South Island takahē. In addition to conservation infrastructure, Orokonui developed a visitor and education centre designed as an environmentally sustainable public-facing facility. The centre supports guided and educational visits and helps connect the sanctuary's restoration programme with the wider public. The organisation's principal value proposition is not a conventional consumer product but access to a protected native ecosystem, interpretation of New Zealand biodiversity and participation in a mainland conservation model. Its activities sit at the intersection of ecological restoration, wildlife protection, environmental education and nature-based tourism.

The origins of Orokonui Ecosanctuary lie in a series of conservation ideas developed around Dunedin. In 1982, New Zealand cartoonist Burton Silver and several associates discussed creating a wildlife sanctuary near the city. Their first concrete proposal, made in July 1983, called for the conversion of a Dunedin fertiliser factory into a large aviary. Although that plan was abandoned, it helped motivate the formation of the Otago Natural History Trust in August 1983. The initial Orokonui proposal subsequently stalled and the group became inactive for a period. Interest returned in the 1990s after the establishment of Karori Wildlife Sanctuary in Wellington, now known as Zealandia. Ralph Allen, one of the remaining proponents, revived the Dunedin project. Kāti Huirapa of Puketeraki, the local rūnaka, became an important supporter of the trust's plans. The project moved toward implementation in the 2000s. The trust secured permission from the New Zealand Department of Conservation to use approximately 230 hectares of the Orokonui Conservation Area. The site was visited by Conservation Minister Chris Carter on 27 April 2006, and additional land was assembled through purchase and donation. A neighbouring landowner's donation of 57 hectares expanded the proposed sanctuary by roughly one-fifth and led to a longer perimeter fence. The trust indicated in 2007 that the project might eventually extend onto adjacent public land. Fundraising began with a public appeal in November 2005. Two notable campaigns in 2006 and 2007 invited the public to donate New Zealand five-cent coins before their withdrawal from circulation and to sponsor individual fence posts through a partnership with the Otago Daily Times. Local businesses, charities and public-sector funders also contributed. These efforts supported the construction of the sanctuary's defining infrastructure: a predator-exclusion fence. Work on the fence began in December 2006. The approximately nine-kilometre barrier enclosed more than 300 hectares of regenerating forest. Its mesh, ground skirt, curved top and controlled waterway and pedestrian access were designed to prevent a broad range of introduced mammals from entering. Earthworks were completed in May 2007, and the fence was completed in July. The sanctuary was formally closed in the presence of the Waitati Militia, marking the transition from site preparation to ecological management. Pest eradication started in August 2007. Ground teams removed goats and hundreds of possums, followed by the aerial distribution of brodifacoum bait within the fenced area. The intended ecological sequence was that reduced browsing and predation would improve forest condition, increase regeneration and provide more flowers, seeds, invertebrates and other food for native birds and reptiles. The trust also planted native seedlings from a nearby nursery and created rocky habitat for lizards. Species restoration followed the pest-control phase. Four South Island kākā arrived in July 2007 and were initially kept in an aviary. Pūkeko and paradise ducks later established themselves without deliberate introduction. Fifteen tuatara were transferred from the University of Otago in March 2009, followed by 34 South Island saddlebacks the next month. The sanctuary has also been home to a breeding pair of South Island takahē. These introductions form part of a broader ambition to restore species that historically occupied the region, including kiwi, seabirds, kākāriki, robins, kākā, native bats, tuatara and jewelled geckos. Visitor infrastructure was developed alongside the conservation programme. The trust selected a site near the top of the valley for access, visibility and operational advantages and built a visitor and education centre described as an environmentally sustainable design showcase. The centre was intended to attract visitors, provide interpretation and support education while contributing to sanctuary management. Orokonui therefore developed as both a protected ecological area and a public institution linking restoration, Māori and regional identity, scientific knowledge and nature-based tourism. The valley itself has a layered land-use history. It was once associated with Orakanui College, later became part of a government inebriates' home, and was subsequently cut over, grazed and partly planted with eucalyptus. The area includes the exceptionally tall 'Frank Pepers Tree', a measured Eucalyptus regnans. After the earlier institutional and agricultural uses ended, parts of the land were managed by Landcorp and the Department of Conservation, creating the landscape in which the sanctuary was established.

• 2009

  Tuatara and saddlebacks introduced

  [1]Orokonui Ecosanctuaryen.wikipedia.org

  The sanctuary received tuatara from the University of Otago and South Island saddlebacks.

• 2007

  Enclosure completed

  [1]Orokonui Ecosanctuaryen.wikipedia.org

  The fence was completed and the sanctuary formally closed, enabling pest eradication and restoration.

• 2007

  First kākā introduced

  [1]Orokonui Ecosanctuaryen.wikipedia.org

  Four South Island kākā became the first animals introduced to the completed sanctuary environment.

• 2006

  Predator-exclusion fence construction starts

  [1]Orokonui Ecosanctuaryen.wikipedia.org

  Work began on the specialised fence enclosing the regenerating forest.

• 2005

  Public fundraising begins

  [1]Orokonui Ecosanctuaryen.wikipedia.org

  The trust launched a fundraising appeal for sanctuary development.

• 1983

  Otago Natural History Trust formed

  [1]Orokonui Ecosanctuaryen.wikipedia.org

  An abandoned proposal for a large aviary helped lead to the formation of the charitable trust that later developed Orokonui.

• 1982

  Sanctuary concept first discussed

  [1]Orokonui Ecosanctuaryen.wikipedia.org

  Burton Silver and associates began discussing the creation of a wildlife sanctuary near Dunedin.

A mainland island-style conservation sanctuary offering wildlife protection, ecological restoration and nature-based visitor experiences near Dunedin.

• Ecotourism

  Wildlife sanctuary visits

  Public access to a predator-exclusion reserve containing regenerating native forest and conservation infrastructure. Visitors experience a protected mainland habitat and may learn about native species recovery, pest control and ecological restoration.

• Environmental education

  Visitor and education centre

  The centre serves as the sanctuary's public-facing interpretation and education facility. It was planned to support visitor access, explain the restoration programme and demonstrate environmentally sustainable building and operational principles.

• Wildlife conservation · 2007

  Native species restoration

  A conservation programme focused on restoring native fauna and habitat, including introductions of South Island kākā, tuatara and South Island saddlebacks, alongside naturally established species and ongoing forest planting.

• 2006Five-cent coin fundraising campaign

  New Zealand

  The public was encouraged to donate New Zealand five-cent coins ahead of their withdrawal from circulation, converting a small denomination into support for sanctuary development.

  Outcome. The campaign formed part of the trust's broader public fundraising effort; a precise amount raised is not specified in the reference material.

  Source
• 2006Sponsor a fencepost

  New Zealand

  In conjunction with the Otago Daily Times, the trust invited supporters to sponsor fence posts for the predator-exclusion barrier.

  Outcome. The campaign helped build public support for the fence project; no verified fundraising total is provided.

  Source

• 2007

  Prioritise pest eradication before broad species restorationStrategy

  Background

  Introduced mammals threatened native vegetation and fauna within the proposed sanctuary.

  Action taken

  The trust removed goats and possums and used aerially distributed brodifacoum bait after the fence was completed.

  Aftermath

  The pest-control phase was followed by planting, habitat work and the introduction of native birds and reptiles.

  Source

• 2007

  Build a public visitor and education centreStrategy

  Background

  The trust wanted the sanctuary to support public access, environmental education and visitor-based funding and awareness.

  Action taken

  It selected a prominent, accessible site near the top of the valley for a visitor and education facility designed around environmental sustainability.

  Aftermath

  The centre became the public interface for the reserve's conservation and education activities.

  Construction cost. NZD 1.9 million (At the time of construction)

  Source

• 2006

  Adopt a mainland predator-exclusion modelStrategy

  Background

  The trust sought to restore native biodiversity in a valley near Dunedin rather than relying on an offshore island setting.

  Action taken

  It committed to constructing a specialised fence with anti-burrowing, anti-climbing and controlled waterway access features.

  Aftermath

  The completed enclosure enabled pest eradication, habitat restoration and the reintroduction of native species.

  Source

1. 1Orokonui Ecosanctuaryen.wikipedia.org
2. 2Orokonui Ecosanctuary official websiteorokonui.nz