Tautari Wetland

Come to where takahē and tuatara play! The Tautari wetland shows a different side to the sanctuary and provides a stunning environment for two of Aotearoa's/New Zealand's endangered species.

Nestled in the valley below Manu Tīoriori visitor centre is the Tautari wetland. Protected by both a QEII covenant and our pest-proof fence, this picturesque wetland habitat is a safe haven for a growing population of tuatara and a family of takahē.

One of our knowledgeable guides will take you to search for the well-camouflaged tuatara as they bask near the entrances to their burrows. Tuatara are the sole surviving members of an ancient group of reptiles found only in New Zealand. Encountering a tuatara for the first time can transport you to a pre-historic world!

Observe the endearing takahē, a New Zealand conservation icon. Thought to be lost forever, takahē made history when they were rediscovered in the remote mountains of Fiordland in 1948. This large, flightless bird helped shape the future of conservation techniques in Aotearoa.

We offer guided tours only, so ensure you book in early as they are incredibly popular!

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What our visitors say

A great morning activity for our family. Our mountain buggy terrain was easily able to navigate the trails.

Emma Southall

This place is special. Heaven for the nature-loving ornithologist. Gentle walkways, a viewing tower, and a clearing with kākā. Please respect and take care of this precious maunga.

Knixi

Wonderful experience seeing tuatara on a wetland tour. Southern Enclosure surrounded by native trees, bush and birds soothes the soul.

Desley McFarlane

We absolutely love visiting Maungatautari, we have been several times over the years, often visiting the Southern Sanctuary and once doing the over the mountain hike from very early in the morning. We visited the southern enclosure today and spent six hours watching, walking and photographing...

Nikki Jean

There are great hiking trails that can easily be walked in one visit. You can see many native birds and look at local plants. It's worth a visit!!!

Linea Matheis

Just wow! Absolutely wonderful! We recently did the Ancient Forest Tour and The Tautari Wetland tour. Just incredible. We highly recommend this experience, cannot rate it enough. We will be back. We even got to see Tuatara, Kākā and Takahē.

Tasman Travels, Aotearoa New Zealand

Such an asset to the region, stunning flora and birdlife.

Derek Devoy, Matamata, New Zealand

A really great sanctuary, with some incredible birdlife. If you’re slow and quiet enough you may get a little show from the Piwakawaka.

Jack Howe

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

Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari has a beautiful array of native New Zealand birds. The tracks are well signposted and easy to navigate I would highly recommend for any nature or bird lover or photographer.

Lydia Gillies, Auckland, New Zealand