Wildlife sanctuary tells Zealandia story
09 Dec 2008
New Zealand's biggest eco-tourism development, Karori Sanctuary in Wellington, has a new name - Zealandia - a further step towards returning a significant part of the nation's capital to its pre-human state.
'Zealandia' is the name of the lost landmass that broke away from the super-continent Gondwana 80 million years ago, of which the islands of New Zealand are virtually all that remain.
500-year vision
The name was chosen because it identifies strongly with the sanctuary's 500-year vision to return the area to its original native state. Already millions of dollars have been spent redeveloping 252 hectares of native forest into a predator-free zone where wildlife now flourishes.
The sanctuary, just 10 minutes from Wellington's downtown business centre, has plans to open a new state-of-the-art visitor centre in early 2010.
Tuis thrive
As well as the major success with reintroducing native flora and fauna, like rare NZ flightless birds the kiwi and weka to the area, Zealandia is being credited for significantly increasing Wellington's general native bird population.
Native tui, one of New Zealand's most distinctive songbirds with a white tuft under the throat and sleek dark green-blue plumage, have increased eight-fold in neighbouring city suburbs since 2001.
Tuis are now the second most commonly observed forest bird in the capital, according to a twice-yearly survey.
The survey also showed other bird species such as kaka and saddleback are on the rise.
Unique protection
Zealandia has over 35 kilometres of bush tracks and paths through regenerating forest with walks and activities suitable for all ages and abilities, from children and seniors to experienced hikers.
It currently offers a two-hour daytime 'Sanctuary Escape' tour, a 'Sanctuary by Night' tour, and a shorter introductory tour. Details of new visitor experiences are to be revealed in 2009.
Advanced technology
Zealandia's planned new visitor and education centre will be the first facility of its kind in New Zealand, and is billed as the largest tourism development in Wellington since the opening of the national museum Te Papa 10 years ago.
Using advanced interactive technology, exhibitions at the new centre will cover the history of the youngest country on earth, telling New Zealand's story from the day before humans arrived through to the present day where conservation projects like Zealandia are giving the country's unique wildlife a future.
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