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Sanctuary Newsletter

Tīhema | December 2025

TimCuff - Hi Vis 13 on bridge waving

Photo by Tim Cuff

Message from the

Chief Executive

As we wrap up 2025, it’s impossible not to feel inspired by everything we’ve achieved together this year. The Sanctuary has been humming with activity, and as summer approaches, it has been especially heartening to see school groups visit and reconnect with this remarkable place. A standout milestone has been the reintroduction of kiwi pukupuku into the Sanctuary, an achievement we can all be proud of. And for me personally, the unforgettable thrill of spotting a kiwi during one of my guided night tours was a powerful reminder of just how far the Sanctuary has come in nurturing a truly pristine forest.

To our incredible volunteers: your dedication and the many hours you contribute continue to shape the Sanctuary in profound ways. To our supporters, Business Club members, and our hardworking teams across the Sanctuary and the Brook Valley Campground: thank you for your commitment, enthusiasm, and belief in our mahi.

Your support fuels everything we do. I wish you all a joyful Christmas and a bright, inspiring start to the New Year.

Acknowledging Ngāti Toa Rangatira


We are proud to acknowledge Ngāti Toa Rangatira as kaitiaki of the kiwi pukupuku (little spotted kiwi) now settling into life in the Sanctuary. Their guidance and mātauranga were central to this year’s translocation — from naming the birds to the ceremony at our visitor centre. Kiwi pukupuku are a treasured taonga, and we’re grateful to work alongside Ngāti Toa Rangatira and our iwi partners in supporting their return to Whakatū. Ngā mihi nui to everyone involved in bringing these kiwi home.

Student spotlight: award-winning Sanctuary documentary


We were recently the focus of a short student documentary by filmmaker Pearl Hutchinson, introducing the Sanctuary and the work our team and volunteers do to protect native flora and fauna. Filmed here in the valley, her documentary highlights what it means to restore a predator free haven on Nelson’s doorstep. Pearl kindly wrote to thank our team for their support during filming and shared that the project was “inspiring” to work on. We’re delighted to share that her documentary went on to win first equal at the Briefs film festival – he mihi nui, Pearl, and congratulations from all of us at the Sanctuary. 

From the Ecology Team:

Spotting Weeds vs Natives in the Sanctuary


Telling the difference between native plants and invasive species can be surprisingly difficult, especially when some weeds share similar shapes, colours, or growth habits with our native flora. This can lead to well-meaning volunteers or visitors accidentally pulling out plants that actually belong in the forest. In this month’s ecology blog, Chelsea highlights several plant pairs that are frequently confused in the Sanctuary — from clematis and clubmoss to pampas, toetoe and native sedges. She outlines the key identification features to look for, helping us all make informed decisions when working in the ngahere. 👉 
   

Photography Competition


Our first-ever seasonal photography competition attracted stunning entries featuring fungi, flora, tuatara, waterways and hidden spots in the Sanctuary. Judging is underway, and the winning entries will be on display in the Visitor Centre soon. Our summer competition is now open. Submit your entry online into either the adult amateur or junior category. 


Prizes include: 

  • An instant camera for the winner of the Junior Photography category 
  • A Family Ticket to a guided night tour 
  • A feature in our newsletter and social media 
  • Printed and displayed photo at the Visitor Centre.

   

- Entries close 28 February -

A Gift That Lasts All Year

If you’re looking for an extra special Christmas gift, send a Sanctuary membership to your loved ones - giving them unlimited access* to the peace and serenity of the Sanctuary all year. 

     

Gift Options:


   

"The guides were so great and passionate about the wildlife it made the tour an unforgettable experience, would recommend to everyone" 

Lillian Fleming - Google Review

Night tours


Discover the magic of the ngahere after dark on this unforgettable guided tour at the Sanctuary. Led by our knowledgeable guides, you’ll journey into the forest to experience towering trees, the glow of bioluminescent glowworms, and the calls of nocturnal wildlife — including ruru, and if you’re lucky, kiwi pukupuku. 


With only 8 guests per tour, these intimate experiences fill quickly. Tour fees directly support conservation at the Sanctuary, helping us protect this unique environment for the future.


Tours continuing throughout spring and summer.

   
   

Local's Weekend - Review


Our recent Locals Day was a great success with over 600 visitors attending over the two days. Lots of children enjoyed our activity area, the weather shined bright for walks in the Sanctuary and many were lucky enough to see a tuatara! A big thank you to everyone who helped over the weekend.

Through the lens – new photos from Deb Corbett


New in our photo library this month, photographer Deb Corbett has captured some beautiful moments from the ngahere – from delicate orchids to a tūī caught mid-snap with its lunch. Chiloglottis cornuta – A tiny forest orchid with incredible detail in every petal. Drymoanthus flavus – An epiphytic orchid glowing softly against the forest backdrop. Tūī with stick insect – A tūī mid-meal, carefully juggling a stick insect in its beak. Photos: Deb Corbett

Thank You to NBS


The Brook Waimārama Sanctuary are proud to be supported by NBS. When you choose to bank with NBS, you choose to support local community organisations just like us. Check out their latest cash back offer of up to $5,000 for new residential home loan approvals! 🏠 To find out more visit nbs.co.nz/cashback

The Freehouse Pub


Huge thanks to The Freehouse Pub for creating a special limited-edition beer to celebrate the translocation and reintroduction of kiwi pukupuku to Te Tau Ihu in the South Island. Their ongoing support helps us share the story of our kiwi with the wider community in a fun, memorable way – so next time you visit The Freehouse, you might just be raising a glass to conservation too.

Fresh Choice Nelson – Community Fund support


Ngā mihi nui to our friends at Fresh Choice Nelson for choosing the Sanctuary as their Community Fund recipient for October. Their generous support helps us care for 690 hectares of protected native forest, providing a safe haven for kiwi pukupuku, kākāriki, tuatara and many other taonga species. It was a pleasure welcoming Charlotte and the Fresh Choice team for a guided visit to learn more about our work and our hopes for the future – we’re so grateful for their commitment to our local environment and community

Thank You to Nelson Hospital Ball


We’re delighted to acknowledge the Nelson Hospital Ball, who generously donated $1,554.84 from their recent fundraising event to support conservation efforts here in Whakatū Nelson.

This koha helps us care for the Sanctuary’s precious ngahere, protect native species, and continue sharing nature with our community. Ngā mihi nui to everyone involved in making this support possible.


   

Thank you to our Business Club members


We’re grateful to our Business Club members for their ongoing support of the Sanctuary. Their contributions help us protect native species, maintain our unique environment, and welcome visitors to experience the ngahere. You can learn more about some of our Business Club supporters here: 

Find out more and join our Brook Business Club here.
   

Young kaitiaki spotlight: Taane


During the school holidays we heard from Taane, a young visitor with a keen eye for the ngahere. After his visit to the Sanctuary he sent us a video (link below), sharing what he’d seen and learned about our native wildlife. We’re always inspired when tamariki connect so deeply with conservation, and Taane is a wonderful example of the kind of young kaitiaki we hope to encourage through our Junior Ranger programme. Keep an eye out – you may see more of Taane in future as we grow our community of Junior Rangers and young ambassadors for the Sanctuary. Watch Taane’s video below and find out more about the Junior Ranger programme on our website.

Sanctuary-wide survey 


To keep the Sanctuary pest-free, we carry out a full Sanctuary-wide survey at set times throughout the year. Right now, teams of volunteers are placing tracking cards in tracking tunnels, using bait such as Pic’s Peanut Butter, chocolate spread, and eggsellent mayonnaise which act as lures.

After a week, volunteers return to retrieve the cards and check for any signs of pest incursion. This allows us to respond quickly and ensure the Sanctuary remains protected.

A huge thank-you to all our volunteers and staff who generously give their time to make this vital work possible and for Pics for donating the peanut butter! 

   

2026 calendars now available


Our beautiful 2026 Sanctuary calendars are here — featuring photography by Deb Corbett and Sean McGrath, showcasing the stunning wildlife and landscapes of the Brook Waimārama Sanctuary. Pick one up from the Visitor Centre and support local conservation this Christmas. 

Photography Deb Corbett

Photography Sean McGrath

Holiday opening hours


Looking for a gentle escape over the Christmas and New Year break? The Sanctuary will be open for summer walks and family visits, while many places take a pause. 

Open every day over the holiday period 
Closed on Christmas Day only 

We’d love to welcome you and your whānau for a peaceful wander in the ngahere. 

The Sanctuary city office will be closed from 22 December - 5 January.

Is your Sanctuary membership subscription up to date?

     

During a recent tidy-up of our membership database, we discovered that some former members may not realise their membership has lapsed.

To find out, please email info@brooksanctuary.org.nz with the subject line “Is my membership current?”. We’ll check your subscription status and let you know. 


 Membership subscription fees are currently: 

$65.00 for an individual 

$130 for a household/family 

$2,000 for an lifetime (individual) 


 Renewals can be done through the website, click here or online banking, our account details are on the website. 

   

What’s been happening online? Magical kiwi encounter


One of our recent night tours delivered a moment none of us expected — and our followers have been loving it online. While a group was admiring the glow worms, a kiwi pukupuku quietly wandered up to visitors, brushing against someone’s feet before stepping into the torchlight.


A guest captured the encounter on video, and it’s quickly become one of our most-watched posts. Seeing kiwi exploring the Sanctuary with such confidence is a wonderful sign of how well they’re settling in after their arrival in May.


If you’d like to watch the moment yourself, you can find the video on our social channels.


   
   

brooksanctuary.org.nz

info@brooksanctuary.org.nz


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