Conservation close to capital

Staglands Wildlife Reserve is less than an hour from Wellington CBD and provides visitors with a taste of the New Zealand bush as well as an experience of the wildlife that inhabit it.

The reserve was created in 1971 after John Simister and his former wife Carole were able to purchase 113 acres of land in Akatawara Valley.

Simister has always had an interest in wildlife after being brought up in rural England and had from an early age harboured a desire to create a wildlife reserve.

‘‘It is my belief that an enormously rewarding and lifelong appreciation of wildlife can be kindled by a brief, intense encounter with an animal or a bird. Ideally this will be in the wilds of our beautiful bush, maybe on a farm or even at home with grandma’s budgie. Few children or adults have such an opportunity nowadays,’’ he said.

Originally it was a struggle to keep the centre open but over time it became so popular that Simister lamented the fact that ‘‘too many’’ people were visiting it.

These days it works with the Department of Conservation to run breeding programmes that contribute directly to the protection and recovery of several different native bird species.

Simister said Staglands was his attempt to provide people with a life-changing encounter with animals in an environment that was as good as he could possibly make it.

‘‘Native animals, birds and plants need our help. Many are unlikely to survive without our willingness to provide huge on-going funding in the form of donations, taxes and physical effort. That willingness to provide help, I believe, is more likely if an interest has been kindled by an enjoyable, first-hand experience, as can be obtained at Staglands.’’

For people wishing for a day out of the city it is a great option.

The centre recently installed an electric car charging station, making it one of the first places in New Zealand to do so.

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2362 Akatarawa Rd, Akatarawa Valley, Upper Hutt

Staglands is open every day from 9.30am to 5pm except Christmas Day.

Prices: Adults $22 (17 Years & Over), senior citizens & students $17, children $11(4 - 16 years), 3 years & under free

Feed can be purchased for animals

Complimentary barbecues on site