Booking EnquiryOur Sanctuary
The ambitious project is the brainchild of owner Gary Lane and has seen a dedicated five kilometre ‘Xcluder’ fence installed around the entire course perimeter. The fence stands more than 2 metres tall and is specially designed to keep out predators such as rats, mice, stoats, weasels, hedgehogs, feral cats and possums.
We have planted around 25,000 native trees and 5,000 exotic species to encourage bird life and enhance the park-like surroundings.
We have also introduced mixed colour pheasants, guinea fowl, Pekin ducks and fallow deer to the property.
In 2012, Wairakei Golf + Sanctuary partnered with the Department of Conservation to maximise conservation and restoration opportunities within the sanctuary. That includes using the predator free environment as a crèche for kiwi chicks, a safe place for them to “find their feet” and grow. Wairakei has been home to many kiwi chicks since.
Since 2015, Wairakei has been home to retired takahē. For the takahē, the Wairakei retirement opportunity is an escape from competition while clearing vital breeding space for younger takahē pairs on their pest-free home bases. Over the years some of the takahē at Wairakei have come out of retirement and have produced healthy chicks. Once they’ve grown, we return the chicks to the founding population in Murchison. As at February 2026, we have 16 takahe loving the sanctuary we provide.
There are also two kārearea (New Zealand falcon) that return annually to nest, they’ve had numerous chicks and enjoy making the most of the predator free environment for raising their young.
In 2019 we welcomed a dedicated Kiwi incubation, hatching and brooding centre, known as the the Gallagher Kiwi Burrow. Save the Kiwi manages this facility. Unfortunately, it is not open for the public, but keep an eye on our facebook page here for updates.
