Welcome to our Maunga

Surrounded by one of the world’s longest pest-proof fences, we are New Zealand's largest fenced eco-sanctuary. Our ancient forest is home to many of New Zealand's unique and endangered wildlife. Come and experience the mauri (life force) of our mountain.

Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari is easily accessible to the public. Come and experience for yourself the New Zealand environment the way it used to be – an ancient, vibrant forest alive with native wildlife including many of New Zealand’s rarest and most endangered wild life. Step through the pest-proof gate into another world where ancient New Zealand forest towers majestically above well-maintained walking tracks and the air is filled with birdsong. Enjoy a variety of hikes and bush walks around our eco-sanctuary, take a guided tour or nature walk and learn about why this conservation project is so special.

Biodiversity Credits Launched

A New Era in Biodiversity Funding
After four years of development, Ekos and Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari have launched credits under their BioCredita Programme — a pioneering biodiversity credit system that funds real, verified conservation outcomes. These credits support completed work, are independently audited, and offer a transparent, tax-deductible way for organisations to invest in nature.

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Kākāpō Are Booming!

For the first time in over 100 years, the deep, resonant booming of the critically endangered kākāpō has been heard on the mainland North Island at Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari! This historic milestone marks a sign of hope for the species and for their conservation. This summer season, 11-year-old Taeatanga led the way, beginning his booming in December. He was soon joined by 6-year-old Tautahi. While visitors are unlikely to see these nocturnal, masters of camouflage, visitors can still experience the magic of Maungatautari: explore ancient forests, encounter native wildlife, and witness conservation in action.

Photo credit: Aotearoa Science Agency

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New Zealand's largest kiwi transfer season 2025

Since mid-February, more than 260 North Island brown kiwi have been moved to other conservation areas around the North Island. Working alongside mana whenua, Save the Kiwi, recipient sites, and receiving iwi, we're humbled to be partnering on this incredibly significant kiwi repopulation strategy.

Want to help us achieve this mahi in 2026? Help kiwi thrive by funding two six seater utility vehicles. Every little bit counts!

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Just one hour from

Hobbiton Movie Sets in Matamata
Waitomo Caves
Hamilton Gardens

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FAQs

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What our visitors say

We were a group of 8, Sue was our guide. Would so recommend having Sue to guide. We would not have noticed or learnt anything by ourselves, noticed birds and plants with understanding the importance of sanctuary. Will be bringing the grandies next.

Helen Bingham

The team are still absolutely buzzing about their time at Maungatautari! We all learnt SO much – about Rongoā, about the forest and how different plants can heal our ailments – but also how the forest as a whole can heal our inner-selves too. Everybody took something of great value...

Huka Honey Hive, Tāupo

I wanted to email you and tell you how literally amazing our day was and that we were absolutely blown away by the whole experience. You and your team are fantastic [Phil and the educators]. All of the parents who attended raved about the whole day. We are totally happy to fill in the form and I...

Ōhaupō School

A truly spectacular day for me thank you, and trust me I've done some really cool things before but this was right up there. The passion, the pride, the service beyond self and the truly intergenerational and transformational work you and the team have done and are doing is inspirational...

Simon

THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU! Because one THANK YOU is not enough! We felt very honoured and privileged to witness the health check and transfer process of two kiwi yesterday. To be so close to our iconic bird was very surreal for many of our team. Many photos were taken and I’m sure...

Nicola Greenwell

I’m honestly still smiling after my afternoon on the maunga yesterday, so I had to write and thank you SO MUCH. The team is doing extraordinary work with the whole sanctuary, and to see the kiwi team, volunteers, dogs, it was absolutely amazing. It was very moving to see the kiwi close up....

Katy Scoullar

I've hiked many, many forests around New Zealand, but this one hits differently. You just know you're in as native of an NZ forest as it can get, thanks to the predator-proof fence that takes a lot of work and money to maintain. The forest is alive with the beautiful songs of many...

Meggie Tran

A beautiful and peaceful place.

Tony Nicholls

My wife and I live in Miami and visited Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari during a trip to New Zealand a month ago. Our guide was Jenny. We were very impressed with her sincerity as well as your organization and the success of your work.

Anonymous, Miami, USA

If you want to see New Zealand's nocturnal animals, go here. Of course, there are day tours as well as night tours. I went on a night tour and it was great. I was happy to see glow worms, go up to the observatory, and see many stars in the night sky! This is not a zoo, but a conservation...

HyoJin Yang (YY)