Conservation champions

BPC’s Central Region team have put in hundreds of hours of work to support Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari, New Zealand’s largest fenced eco-sanctuary, protecting 3,363 hectares of ancient native forest and over 730 native species.

Team members worked a combined 250+ hours on their community day, with over 750 hours mahi having gone in beforehand preparing and constructing elements of the build. The visitor centre was painted inside and out and a new office space added. Pathways were completed and gardening was done around the visitor centre and in the sanctuary.

The sanctuary plays a key role in species recovery, including kiwi and kākāpō translocations. Co-governed by Ngāti Koroki Kahukura, Ngāti Hauā, Raukawa, and the Maungatautari Ecological Island Trust, the sanctuary supports community engagement through education, volunteering, and outreach, offering free nature experiences to those facing hardship.

Central Region Manager Adam Plimmer says the team does a community project every year, reflecting founder Brian Perry’s mantra to “work hard, play hard, and be a good community citizen”.

A big thank you to Placemakers Te Rapa for supplying the paint and materials, and to Porter Hire for keeping everyone well fed while they worked.