Big boost for Waimarama Sanctuary from Nelson Forests

Imagine a vast swathe of pristine pre-European native bush; a huge area with absolutely no introduced predators — no rats, stoats, possums, feral cats. A place where New Zealand’s unique and endangered wildlife can thrive, especiallyour wonderful bird species. Where you can find populations of Toutouwai (South Island Robin), Tītipounamu (Rifleman), Ngirungiru (Tomtit), Pīwakawaka (Fantail), Kererū (NZ Pigeon), Korimako (Bellbird), Tauhou (Silvereye) and Kārearea (NZ Falcon) and Tui.

How big an area are we talking about? Try this: imagine yourself standing in the middle of a rugby sports field. Now visualise 99 more of them stretching out ahead of you, end on end, into the distance. 100 rugby pitches in a row. But wait, now see lying next to each and every one of these fields, six more side by side.700 in total — this is the equivalent of the Sanctuary’s 700 hectares.

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