Rotokare Scenic Reserve Trust
Please donate now to support ecological restoration at Rotokare Scenic Reserve - Taranaki's Sanctuary.
Taranaki
While Rotokare Scenic Reserve Trust's mission is to achieve ecological restoration at Rotokare Scenic Reserve. The reserve is Taranaki’s only fenced sanctuary, providing an ideal habitat for species to be returned to the region. The lake, wetland and pristine native forest are proving ideal for the vulnerable species that have been translocated here. Hihi, tieke, pāteke, titipounamu have all introduced in recent years. Check out our video to learn more about the Trust's work here.
Rotokare Scenic Reserve also has a foundation population of North Island Brown kiwi that are successfully breeding. This population will form the basis of kiwi destined to repopulate other locations in the region that can achieve necessary pest-control.
The reserve is free and open to the community 24/7. All forms of recreation are welcome here - walking, bird watching, freedom camping, motor boats (seasonal 1 December - 30 April) , swimming, kayaks.
Rotokare Scenic Reserve Trust family (volunteers, community supporters, staff & trustees) is doing everything it can to ensure the survival of vulnerable native species, including hihi, tieke, pāteke, North Island brown kiwi, and we need your help to make our efforts go even further.
The ability to continue our work for the community and our precious wildlife always relies on generous support from the community.
Your support is critical to our efforts to ensure ecological restoration and species survival.
Thank you in advance for your help. Every dollar will go towards predator control and species monitoring at Rotokare Scenic Reserve, directly benefiting wildlife and our community.
More about us
We are a community-led, award winning, conservation-based charitable trust in Taranaki. As kaitiaki our mission is to achieve the highest level of restoration, protection, and enhancement of Rotokare's indigenous ecosystem.
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Latest update
Rotokare welcomes the Māhoenui Giant Wētā! 15 December 2025
On 27th November, 97 Māhoenui Giant Weta were released into Rotokare Sanctuary. This has been a beautiful collaborative project, and we want to acknowledge the significant contributions of:
Mahoenui Giant Weta Technical Advisory Group, Manaaki Whenua - Landcare Research Group, Department of Conservation, Mana whenua representatives from Mōkau ki Runga, Ngāti Tupaia, Ngāti Ruanui and the captive breeding team at Ōtorohanga Kiwi House. This weta release was from the captive breeding facility. In the future we anticipate wild-to-wild translocations.
The Mahoenui Giant Wētā is one of the world’s largest insects, growing up to 7cm and weighing up to 15 grams. Mahoenui Giant Wētā are critically endangered, and at one point were restricted to one known location in Aotearoa at the Mahoenui scientific reserve.
The Mahoenui are the only giant wētā to have two colour morphs; they can be yellow or brown.
Mature female weta can lay up to 200 eggs, so we are hoping that the population here can quickly become established. Having a completely pest-free environment greatly increases their survival rates.
These gentle giants are not likely to disturb you or take up residence in your boots - they prefer the forest canopy!
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