Visit us

There are many ways you can experience our sanctuary, from day time tours of either an ancient forest with its meandering pathways or take a guided tour and explore the secrets of the Tautari wetland with the endangered species the takahe and tuatara, through to a dusk to dark experience where you may have the opportunity to listen for kiwi calling and marvel at a curtain of glow worms lit up under a night sky.

As a charitable trust every cent we make goes straight back into the conservation work we do. By visiting us you are directly helping to restore, protect and sustain a New Zealand eco-system and all of its inhabitants.

As we are a mountain environment please ensure you have adequate warm clothing and comfortable walking shoes. We have refreshments available for purchase at the visitor centre located near the southern enclosure, Tari Road, Pukeatua.

Some Important Information

All daytime guided tours are subject to availability – booking is essential.

Our regular tours also have limited numbers, this is to ensure visitors receive personal attention and have the opportunity to ask questions. If you have special interests or would like to book a tour for a large group (15 people or more), we can arrange a customised guided tour to meet your needs.

Night tours are not run on a regular basis and are listed when available. If you would like to request a tour booking for a date not listed send us an email or call the visitor centre on 07 870 5180 to make an enquiry.

If you miss out on one of our limited kiwi health check spaces, you may want to join our waiting list - please send us an email if you'd like to be notified about future kiwi health checks as they become available and get first option to book your space.

For all trade enquiries please email your booking enquiry or request.

Please note all children under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult when visiting Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari.

As we are a wildlife sanctuary there is no guarantee on what flora and fauna you will see on your visit, any photos shown are indicative only.

Before leaving home please note:

Dogs are not permitted anywhere on Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari unless they are certified predator/species tracking dogs or disability assist dogs which are muzzled.

Bikes are not permitted on the mountain tracks.

You will be entering a biosecurity controlled area:

Check that you are not taking any risk material into the area e.g. live mice or other animals, fruit or seeds
Double gates are there for security reasons; do not risk any inadvertent entries or escapes through inappropriate use
All wildlife are protected and must not be disturbed
Anything you take into the area must be taken out again (this includes any rubbish you create during your visit)
Keep to the paths and follow signs as directed

Pest control operations may be in progress at any time:

Keep well away from any baits

Do not interfere with coloured ribbon markers

Do not touch or interfere with traps or tracking tunnels

Supervise children at all times

All species are living in a wild and natural environment:

They are free to come and go as they wish
We cannot guarantee what you may or may not see
Please respect their home and move quietly for optimal chances of seeing them

Peanut butter is used as a predator bait please beware if you or any children under your supervision have peanut allergies.

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Visitor Centre Information

Manu Tioriori, the Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari visitor centre, is accessed from the carpark at the top of Tari Road, Pukeatua. Here you will find toilet facilities, informative displays and information about guided tours and events at Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari. You can also purchase refreshments and souvenirs, with all proceeds going towards conservation projects on the mountain.

Manu Tioriori visitor centre is open from 8:30am to 4:00pm daily. Closed 25th December.

The southern enclosure (Te Tūī a Tāne) is only accessible during Manu Tioriori visitor centre opening hours. The Tautari wetlands and tuatarium are only accessible to the public on a guided tour.

The Wairere Traverse (Over the Mountain) track and the northern enclosure – these are accessible at any time of the day however for safety of the public and of our flora and fauna we do not recommend visiting after dark. Please follow this link for in-depth information on our Over the Mountain hike.

For Frequently Asked Questions follow this link to our FAQ sheet

Admission Prices

Please see Visit Us Booking menu for guided tour .

Sanctuary Mountain Explorer Pass

Adult 17 yrs and over: $21.00
Child 5 - 16 yrs: $9.00
Family: 2 adults and up to 3 children 5-16 yrs: $47.00
Senior/student with ID: $15.00 (A valid NZ SuperGold card or a valid NZ student ID is required)

Please note that no charges apply to entry to the 4GIV Block. Entry to the Wairere Traverse (Over the Mountain) track and 4GIV Block are free.