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2025-2026 Annual Report

Please click on the link below to read out 2025-2026 Annual Report...

New kākāpō and Mahoenui giant wētā arrivals mark 25-year milestone

Two additional kākāpō and a new cohort of 122 Mahoenui giant wētā have arrived at Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari, marking another significant conservation milestone as the sanctuary celebrates 25 years of ecological restoration. These arrivals are a living reminder of the extraordinary transformation made possible through 25 years of community dedication to protecting and restoring Maungatautari. A once audacious vision to enclose an entire mountain, remove introduced predators and p...

A Can In The Hand Is Worth $2 In The Bush: Exclusive Collab In Support Of Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari

MEDIA RELEASEA unique collaboration between Garage Project, Yakima Chief Hops and a group of like-minded industry partners is turning great beer into direct conservation action, with $2 from every can sold of a limited-edition beer donated to Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari.The beer, Bush Bash, has been created to support the sanctuary's work protecting and restoring 3,363 hectares of ancient native forest and the more than 730 native species that reside within it.Sanctuary Mountain Maungatauta...

Kiwibank First New Zealand Bank To Back Biodiversity Credits

MEDIA RELEASEKiwibank has become one of New Zealand's early adopters of Biodiversity Credits, purchasing credits generated through Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari in partnership with environmental markets specialist Ekos.The investment reflects Kiwibank's commitment to helping build a better future for Aotearoa New Zealand, recognising that thriving communities, a resilient economy and a healthy natural environment are deeply connected.The Biodiversity Credits purchased by Kiwibank support cons...

Dual finalist honours in 2026 Tourism and Business Awards

MEDIA RELEASE  Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari has earned recognition on both the national and regional stage, being named as a finalist in two categories in both the 2026 New Zealand Tourism Awards and in the 2026 Waikato Business Awards. CEO Helen Hughes says Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari is unbelievably proud to be named finalists in these prestigious awards. “We are honoured to be recognised amongst the businesses named as finalists in the New Zealand Tourism Awards...

H5 Bird Flu Update

H5 bird flu (HPAI H5N1) has been confirmed in the Wellington region, after an ocean-going brown skua found in Petone tested positive for the virus. Days later, a kahu (Australasian harrier) in Wairarapa was also confirmed to be infected.At Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari, we have been preparing for this scenario for the past 18 months. Our response plan has been developed in alignment with national guidelines and in partnership with mana whenua and builds on the strong biosecurity practices we ...

Record-breaking 800 kiwi translocated from Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari

MEDIA RELEASE14 May 2026Record-breaking 800 kiwi translocated from Sanctuary Mountain MaungatautariSanctuary Mountain Maungatautari, Save the Kiwi, and mana whenua haves made conservation history, with the cumulative total of kiwi translocated from the sanctuary surpassing 800. This figure is the result of just four years of translocations and represents the largest kiwi translocation programme undertaken from any one wild source site in Aotearoa New Zealand, placing it among the largest bi...

International Trading in Biodiversity Credits

Ekos and Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari have completed an international biodiversity credit transaction with a European hotel, marking a milestone for New Zealand’s nature markets and growing demand for high-integrity conservation outcomes....

Parliament hosts wild kiwi

MEDIA RELEASE BY CAPITAL KIWI28 April 2026...

Overnight Stay in Education Centre

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐Our overnight stay at Sanctuary Mountain was an absolute highlight! The youth are still buzzing. The experience is truly immersive—from the daytime beauty of the native birds to the magic of the mountain after dark. The night tour was a standout; getting to see bats and hearing the call of kiwis echoing through the trees was surreal. We even spotted a massive eel in the mountain pond!Te Awamutu Scout GroupRead about kids greening Taupo's student leader overnight campFind...

Summer Carving Project

Over the summer, the Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari whānau were joined by a very talented carver, Taj, who brought his amazing skills and creative energy to an important project unfolding here on the maunga."Tainui te WakaWaikato te AwaTautari te MaungaRaukawa te iwiTihei Mauriora"Taj has recently graduated from the Te Puia Arts and Crafts Institute, where he completed a three‑year scholarship in traditional styles, tools, and technologies.Taj is from Raukawa iwi where he has participated i...

Young takahē take flight from Maungatautari, boosting national recovery.

MEDIA RELEASEFriday 20 March 2026...

Kiwi from Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari Move to Karioi Rāhui

MEDIA RELEASEFriday 20 March 2026...

Annual Report 2024 - 2025

We have rebuilt partnerships, diversified revenue streams, and pioneered conservation finance through Biodiversity Credits and an endowment fund with Momentum Waikato. Tourism and education have grown, with record visitor numbers, new tours, and on-site accommodation generating fresh income. Cultural connections deepened, and community outreach expanded to vulnerable groups. Despite resource constraints and predator challenges, our team delivered world-class conservation outcomes....

Weekend Shuttle Service Launches

Outdoor adventurers keen to traverse one of the Waikato's premier one-day hikes now have a new way to experience the ancient forest of Maungatautari—without the logistical juggle. Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari has launched a Weekend Shuttle Service, starting Saturday 25 October, connecting the southern Tari Road Visitor Car Park with the northern Hicks Road trailhead. This service unlocks access to two spectacular crossing tracks and removes a major barrier for trampers and trail runners wh...

New Cultural Tour - The Moa Hunter

Media Release22 October 2025...

AGM Invitation 2025

RSVP to register your attendance to the MEIT AGM, 2025...

Welcoming a new cohort of Mahoenui giant wētā

MEDIA RELEASESource: The Department of ConservationWednesday 27 August 2025...

Taking New Zealand Biodiversity to the World

This is the first time a New Zealand conservation project is trading biodiversity credits on an international trading platform. This provides direct access to global audiences, connecting the world to the incredible biodiversity outcomes for which New Zealand is renowned....

Learning through nature

Pukeatua School partners with Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari to inspire young kaitiaki. Through hands-on learning in the ngahere, students explore ecosystems, conservation, and te ao Māori—building curiosity, pride, and connection to nature....

Forest Fungi

Published by Forest Health News No. 319 - June 2025 (Scion)...

Biodiversity Credits to Boost Conservation

Today, after four years of intensive design, testing, collaboration and verifying, Ekos, partnering with Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari, are launching credits under their BioCredita Programme – a biodiversity market programme....

Enriching the Chorus

Hunua kōkako take flight to sing a new song at Maungatautari.Kōkako ki runga, kōkako ki raro, kōkako ki Maungatautari, kōkako ki te whei ao, ki te ao mārama. Tīhei mauriora!...

Biodiversity Credits Pilot

Media Release...

Young Kākā Join the Forest Whānau

On May 21st, five North Island kākā took flight into the forest on Maungatautari, following weeks of care in our purpose-built aviary. These special manu—four captive-bred and one rehabilitated local—are the latest to join our kākā whānau....