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ECOSANCTUARY

Our vision is for our 10-acres of the Te Manahuna Mackenzie Region to be a protected ecosanctuary where flora and fauna can thrive, free from predators and pollution. We also hope to share our conservation knowledge with others, and leave a legacy for our family and community. Here's some of the work we've done over the last 14 years:

  • Removal of approximately five acres of wilding pines (why are wilding pines invasive?).

  • Installation of rabbit proof fencing, thanks to a grant from Environment Canterbury. 

  • Extensive native and exotic plantings (see the full list below). 

  • Cultivation of plants from our land.

  • Dark sky friendly lighting (why is the dark important?).

  • No chemicals used on the property (ie, pesticides, herbicides, insecticides).

  • Removal of pest animals (rabbits, mustelids, hedgehogs, and feral cats).

  • Removal of invasive plants (briar rose, broom, lupins, scotch thistle).

 

We are proud to have won the Sustainability and Environmental award in the 2022 ARA Business Excellence Awards.

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OUR FLORA AND FAUNA

Fauna

BIRDS​

  • Bellbird/Korimako

  • Blackbird

  • Chaffinch

  • Fantail/Piwakawaka

  • Grey warbler/Riroriro

  • House sparrow

  • Pipit/ Pihoihoi

  • Silvereye/Tauhou

  • Song thrush

  • Swamp hairier/Kahu

  • Welcome swallow

  • White-faced heron/Matuku moana​

INSECTS

  • ​Bee (native and introduced)

  • Beetle

  • Bumblebee

  • Butterfly

  • Cricket

  • Dragonfly

  • Grasshopper

  • Moth

  • Praying mantis

OTHER

  • Common skink

  • Frog

  • Spider

  • Millipede

  • Centipede

Native Flora

  • Blue tussock – Poa colensoi

  • Carpet heath – Pentachondra pumila

  • Coral broom – Carmichaelia crassicaulis subsp. crassicaulis

  • Desert broom – Carmichaelia petriei

  • Dwarf alpine senecio – Brachyglottis bellidioides

  • Golden Spaniard – Aciphylla aurea

  • Harebell – Wahlenbergia albomarginata

  • Kopoti – Anisotome aromatica

  • Manuka – Leptospermum scoparuim

  • Maori onion – Bulbinella hookeri

  • Matagouri – Discaria toumatou

  • Mirrorplant – Coprosma petriei

  • Mountain violet – Viola cunninghamii

  • Patotara – Leucopogon fraseri

  • Pekapeka mountain daisy – Celmisia gracilenta

  • Pimelea pulvinaris

  • Porcupine shrub- Melicytus alpinus

  • Raupo – Typha muelleri

  • Snow berry – Gaultheria depressa

  • Snow tussock – Chionochloa rigida

  • Sprawling wirevine – Muehlenbeckia axillaris

  • Tauhinu – Ozothamnus leptophylla

  • Turf-mat daisy – Raoulia subsericea

Exotic Flora

  • Apple

  • Birch

  • Cherry

  • Chinese poplar

  • Claret ash

  • Copper beech

  • Cypress

  • Eucalyptus

  • Maple

  • Oak

  • Old man pine

  • Peach

  • Redwood

  • Walnut

  • Willow

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FUTURE PLANS

Here are some of our future plans for our property:

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  • Planting of Himalayan Cypress (Cupressus torulosa) in Spring 2022 as a shelterbelt for our southern boundary, and on our northern boundary for privacy and protection once the plantation opposite us is removed. 

  • Planting and cultivation of more trees and plants, especially ones that will attract birds and insects.

  • Holding free workshops to share our knowledge and practical tips about conservation and plant cultivation with our community. 

  • Installation of signage on the property loop walk to highlight various flora and/or fauna, to help educate friends, family, and guests about our conservation efforts. 

  • Design of a booklet to display in our cottage to help our guests learn more about our environment, pest control, flora and fauna, and how they can help.

  • The land behind our property may go to the Department of Conservation. If this happens, there may be potential for further development of several wetland areas (why are wetlands important?). 

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