There is no time like the present to visit ZEALANDIA ecosanctuary. It is brimming with wildlife and the tour guides know just the right places to increase sightings of rare wildlife like tīeke (saddleback), hihi (stitchbird), and toutouwai (North Island robin).

ZEALANDIA by Day tours are on sale right now - adults $30, children $17.50 which makes it a perfect time to book. The whole family can come for only $60*

With today’s announcement that New Zealand is moving its COVID-19 response to Level 3 now, and to Level 4 in 48 hours, we have made the decision to close ZEALANDIA to the public, members and volunteers, effective immediately. This includes the visitor centre, Rātā cafe, and the sanctuary itself.

Our priority at this time is the health and wellbeing of our visitors and our team, and we are making this difficult decision in order to help protect our community. We will remain closed for the next four weeks, as directed in the government’s advice today.

Spending time outdoors is proven to improve wellbeing, and the team at ZEALANDIA want to help you embrace nature during this time. That's why we're now offering half-price entry. With 32km of trails to explore, you can experience our wild spaces while maintaining the recommended ‘social distance’. 

It’s challenging times like these that show the strength of a community. And our community is strong – we care about each other, we care about nature, and we care about our shared future. 

Spending time in nature is one of the best ways to look after both your physical and mental health, and we want to encourage everyone to take the opportunity to get outside, breathe deep, and make the most of the wildlife around us. 

ZEALANDIA’s work to keep Wellington’s wildlife thriving continues, and we are open for business, encouraging those who feel fit and well to visit.  

Last week the tuna/eels living in the wetlands and streams at ZEALANDIA – Te Māra a Tāne were captured and released downstream beyond the sanctuary. As part of the Roto Kawau/lower reservoir restoration project, rangers worked alongside mana whenua, Taranaki Whānui, to carry out the translocation. Read on to find out what’s the issue with eels and why we need to do this. 

Spending time in nature helps people feel better, and becoming involved in a local trapping group can give your health an even bigger boost, new research from Zealandia’s Centre for People and Nature shows.

 

Twenty rare Wellington green geckos – also known as moko kākariki or barking geckos – have recently been released on Mana Island as part of efforts to establish a population on the predator-free island. 

Join wildlife photographer X-traordinaires Simon Runting and Nick Crarer at ZEALANDIA Ecosanctuary.

Dragonflies are beautiful and live amazing lives but they are in trouble worldwide. 

ZEALANDIA has several species of dragonflies and damselflies and we are playing our part to encourage them. We are currently hosting Ruary MacKenzie-Dodds and Kari de Koenigswarter, UK dragonfly ambassadors, to survey the dragonfly populations found in the sanctuary, and educate those at ZEALANDIA about dragonflies and their freshwater habitat. Ruary and Kari will also be giving a public talk on Tuesday, 18 February.

ZEALANDIA is honoured to be one of the finalists in the Mitre 10 Community of the Year category in the New Zealander of the Year Awards 2020.