Kaipupu Sanctuary

Kaipūpū Sanctuary is a community project which has restored a 40 hectare 'mainland island' in Picton harbour. The sanctuary offers amazing wildlife viewing, engaging school or group visits and volunteering opportunities. Once a food collection site for Māori, Kaipūpū translates from ‘kai’ meaning food and ‘pupu’ a type of shellfish. The 2.7km circular walking track will take you through recovering native bush, old growth forest and our restoration zone. The bush clad hills are home to many of New Zealand’s unique native wildlife including tūī, korimako (bellbird), Pīwakawaka (fantail), kererū (NZ woodpigeon), kororā (little penguin), tree wētā, raukawa gecko and waiharakeke grass skink. Kekeno (New Zealand fur seal) can often be found lazing on the jetty over autumn and winter. The Kaipūpū Point Mainland Island Society was established in 2006 . This volunteer based board works in collaboration with Port Marlborough and the Department of Conservation , under the umbrella of Picton Dawn Chorus. The role of the board is to oversee the management of the Sanctuary including biodiversity, education, maintenance, marketing, finance and administration. Kaipūpū Sanctuary is a volunteer organisation and has approximately 160 volunteers involved with pest control, maintenance, management and staffing the information shop. Our pest team volunteers are guided by our Pest Control Co-ordinator and a team of enthusiastic pest team leaders.

https://www.kaipupusanctuary.nz/