Welcome to the Orokonui Ecosanctuary Website

Ecosanctuary

Dunedin has an established reputation as New Zealand’s wildlife capital. The Orokonui Ecosanctuary will complement the marine wildlife attractions of the area by offering a forest wildlife experience.

The Orokonui Ecosanctuary is accessed from Blueskin Road on the scenic route between Port Chalmers and Waitati.

The 307 hectare Ecosanctuary includes 230 hectares of conservation land that has been given the highest category of protection, that of Nature Reserve. The forest within the reserve is mostly 100 years old, with isolated pockets of much older trees. The Ecosanctuary is already home to native wildlife including South Island tit, South Island rifleman, brown creeper, bellbird, grey warbler, fantail and many other birds. Eleven species of native fish have been found in the Orokonui Stream.

Ecosanctuary staff and trustees work closely with the Department of Conservation, the University of Otago and members of the community to restore this coastal forest.

Species Returning Already

It is an increasingly common experience in the sanctuary to spot native creatures that are arriving or coming out of hiding, almost as if the word has got out that the place is safer! Pukeko have found their way to the new wetlands, along with a pair of Paradise ducks and their chicks, while some native skinks have been spotted at last. We expect the populations of native birds and reptiles that are already in the sanctuary to build up in numbers with the reduction in predator pressure. Our dedicated volunteer bird survey teams will be keeping an eye on developments. Derek Onley, who leads the bird survey work, has also initiated a project in Waitati and Purakaunui, encouraging the local residents to look for changes in the numbers and species of birds visiting their gardens.

Orokonui Valley across Blueskin Bay

At Orokonui we are very lucky to already have healthy populations of some of the native birds that are less commonly seen in and around cities, including South Island tomtit, brown creeper and South Island rifleman (New Zealand’s smallest bird). In addition the Orokonui stream is home to nine species of native fish, an unusual circumstance in New Zealand’s streams and rivers, where introduced trout and salmon have greatly reduced the numbers of our native freshwater species.

How it works

The site is now enclosed by a highly specialised pest-exclusion fence, just under two metres tall and ten km long. It features steel mesh fine enough to stop even the smallest mice getting through, a “top hat” to exclude climbing animals and a ground skirt to prevent animals from burrowing underneath.

The eradication programme has removed all introduced mammalian pests such as rats, stoats, and possums. This is improving the health of the forest ecosystem and providing safety for vulnerable native fauna.

Restoration of the forest ecosystem entails weed removal, replanting with native species that are historically local to the area and the return of our lost birds, reptiles and bats. High on our list to bring back home are Kiwi, Tuatara, Saddleback, Kaka and Kakariki.

Facilities
Whilst the primary purpose of the Orokonui project is the restoration of coastal forest and the protection of our flora and fauna, the ecosanctuary will also be a place for people to visit and enjoy. The Orokonui Visitor Reception Centre with informative displays and refreshment facilities, is being designed by local architect Tim Heath. The Centre will feature the best in environmentally sustainable features, including solar heat and power, energy and water conservation, and waste water treatment. A teaching room will enhance the learning experience for primary, secondary and tertiary students to take full advantage of the educational possibilities offered by the ecosanctuary. A network of tracks of various grades will provide good access to points of interest in the sanctuary. We hope that this experience will inspire visitors to contribute to conservation by taking action on their own land, or in their own town or city.

There will be many benefits

Conservation:

	• Bringing home Otago’s exiled wildlife
	• Recreating a lost world where the songs of native birds fill the forest
	• Helping to save New Zealand’s threatened species
Tourism and economic growth:
	• Enhancement of Dunedin’s reputation as a major ecotourism destination
	• Increasing visitor numbers to Dunedin and encouraging visitors to stay longer
	• New employment opportunities for local people
Education and recreation:
	• Opportunities for school children and adults to learn about conservation of our natural heritage
	• Peaceful encounters with nature
Research:
	• A superb site for research on New Zealand's ecology and the science of pest-free ecological restoration