SANCTUARY MOUNTAIN

Te Tūī a Tāne: the weaving together of all things Tāne (Māori god of the forest). The name of the largest enclosure on Sanctuary Mountain is apt. Anyone who walks this land is serenaded by a chorus of tūī, robin, kākā and hihi, all singing the praises of this sanctuary. The 3400ha maunga, Maungatautari, is protected by the longest predator-proof fence in the world – 47km of fence so well designed that even the sneakiest rat is yet to slip over its curved top. Sanctuary Mountain has been recognised as a reserve since 1912, and the community, iwi and landowners united to form the Maungatautari Ecological

Trust in 2001, creating what has become an internationally renowned community project and charitable trust.

The mountain is divided into three sections; the largest is Te Tūī a Tāne with a 16m-high viewing platform and visitor centre; then the northern enclosure with a variety of bushwalks; and the Tautari wetlands – one of the only remaining areas of wetland in the Waikato (with 80% of original examples now farmland).

Stand still in the bush and see life flourish. Even when all seems quiet, the land hides secrets. Hollow burrows with softly snoring kiwi, kōkako in the treetops, takahē in the wetlands, giant wētā in the dark depths, tuatara in the leaf litter.

The best way to experience this place is with a guide, and Sanctuary Mountain offers a range of guided tours through the bush and wetlands, that last from between 50-90 minutes. Guests who prefer their own pace can explore without a guide for a small entry fee – all proceeds go straight back to the land. There is a small visitor centre with cold drinks, a shop and toilets.

Sanctuary Mountain also run annual health checks on their kiwi population, and spaces are available to the public who wish to take part in the tracking and monitoring of the little icons. There is a wait list on the website. 99 Tari Road, Pukeatua

(30 minutes south of Cambridge).

(07) 870 5180, sanctuarymountain.co.nz