The Brook Waimārama Sanctuary
The Brook Waimārama Sanctuary is a 691‑hectare, pest‑free fenced sanctuary located in the Brook Valley, just a few kilometres from Nelson City Centre. It provides a safe haven for native wildlife and forms the core of long‑term wildlife restoration efforts in the Nelson region.
The Nelson Halo builds on the success of the Sanctuary by creating a pest‑reduced wildlife corridor linking the Sanctuary with the city and surrounding hinterland. The aim is to increase the number of native birds and other wildlife by providing abundant food and safer habitat beyond the Sanctuary fence. As populations grow within the Sanctuary, birds and other species naturally spread into surrounding areas, where the Halo supports safe feeding and breeding.
The core Nelson Halo extends from the city backdrop toward Richmond, covering Council reserves from Marsden Valley in the south to Sir Stanley Whitehead Park in the north, along with the parks, rivers, streams, gardens, and private land in between.
The wider Halo reaches through Atawhai and Nelson North, into the Maitai and Roding water catchments, and out to the coast.
The success of the Halo relies on collective effort and collaboration. It is supported by community trapping and restoration groups, iwi, the Department of Conservation, private landowners and residents, researchers, and Nelson City Council, all working together to restore and protect Nelson’s native wildlife.
Learn more about the Sanctuary here.
