Our history, present and future
Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari began with a dream to protect the plant and animal species living on Maungatautari. This ancient ecosystem has been recognised as a reserve since 1927 and nearly 90 years later the community came together to restore and protect this precious environment with an Xcluder® pest-proof fence.
A condensed history of our maunga
A vision transformed into a reality
It takes a special group of people with strong vision, purpose and leadership to make a project like this get off the ground. If not for the coming together of iwi, landowners, residents, council and community the sanctuary would never have achieved the scale that it has. It wasn't easy, there were hurdles that took maverick mindsets to navigate. We are grateful to the pioneers such as David Wallace and the community for making the vision a reality. The enormity of the project is something you can only fully appreciate once you see it.
Building the Fence
In 2001 Maungatautari Ecological Island Trust (MEIT) was formed when the community came together with an aim to restore and protect Maungatautari's precious ecosystem.
In 2002 the fence build got underway and by 2004 all mammals were eradicated from the initial two exclosures (excluding mammalian pests). By 2006 the 47km pest-proof fence was completed around the mountain encircling roughly 3363 hectares of old-growth forest, mammalian pests were subsequently eradicated*, and species translocation programmes were underway.
*Except for mice across the wider mountain. Mice were eradicated from within the smaller exclosures that are within the whole pest-proof fenced area.
The Enclosures
The southern enclosure, Te Tūī a Tāne, is the largest of the three exclosures, at 65 hectares. The name Te Tūī a Tāne means 'the weaving together of all things Tāne' where Tāne is the god of the forest. This name reflects our intention to re-create a functioning forest ecosystem. Our facilities are based at this enclosure. There is also an events centre in the forest and a 16m viewing tower.
The northern enclosure was the first area fenced when the project began. To celebrate its completion 3,000 school children and supporters held hands around the exclosure, this action also symbolising the bringing together of the community. There are minimal facilities at the northern enclosure but the bush walks make a lovely day trip.
The Tautari wetland is found at the southern side of Maungatautari. This offers visitors the opportunity to see a live functioning wetland ecosystem. Before the arrival of humans, the bush line extended much further down the mountain, gradually merging into other ecosystems. The bush line's current altitude commenced with the arrival of Europeans, who used the newly exposed land for intensive agriculture. Eighty percent of wetlands in the Waikato region were destroyed for agricultural use due to the drained soil being very fertile. The Tauroa family generously gifted the Tautari wetland to the Maungatautari Ecological Island Trust in 2005. Shortly after, the three hectares were surrounded by an Xcluder® pest-proof fence. The species now thriving in the Tautari wetland include takahē, banded kōkopu, giant kōkopu (NZ native freshwater fish) and tuna (longfin eel and shortfin eel).
A separate section of the Tautari wetland has been transformed into a purpose-built habitat for tuatara. To create suitable habitat, this area was covered in wood chip mulch to provide a litter layer for insects (tuatara food) and planted to provide shade for the creatures when required. A boardwalk and viewing platform were also constructed and waterways created. Tuatara were extinct on mainland New Zealand by the time Europeans arrived here. These fascinating creatures are a direct link back to the time of the dinosaurs.
Come and Visit Us!
Our Wildlife
Bird sanctuary for endangered species, Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari is home to kiwi & takahē.
Our Flora
Filled with ancient forest both the canopy and ground of the sanctuary provides insight of a time long past.
Sanctuary isn't far away!
Just an hour from Hobbiton, Waitomo and the Hamilton Gardens, Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari is a perfect stop on your trip!
