Puketahā

About Puketahā

Photos of the proposed Puketahā Wildlife Sanctuary in Wainuiomata.

Puketahā currently stands in the initial planning phase, exploring the viability of establishing a wildlife sanctuary. The prospective site lies within a water catchment area, boasting an untouched expanse of virgin rainforest that has never succumbed to logging.

What elevates the significance of this location is the profusion of mature rimu, with some exceeding the remarkable age of 1000 years. Despite the historical demand for rimu wood, leading to widespread milling in more accessible regions, this particular area within the populated Wellington region has been meticulously preserved. It emerges as an ideal haven for endangered birds such as hihi, kākāpō, kiwi, and rowi.

This sanctuary holds a particular allure for the kākāpō, a species teetering on the brink with a mere 149 individuals remaining at the time of this writing. These elusive birds currently cling to survival on three predator-free offshore islands. Notably, the Puketahā area offers an optimal environment for kākāpō, given its proximity to their primary food source, fruit that grows at the tips of rimu branches.

Encompassing this virgin rainforest are other majestic arboreal giants, including hīnau, mataī, miro, rātā, and tawa, contributing to the overall richness and diversity of this unique ecological haven.

To learn more about Puketahā, visit Wainuiomata .Net.