Secrets of the Tautari Wetland Sanctuary Mountain

Nestled in the valley below Manu Tīoriori visitor centre is the Tautari wetland. Protected by both a QEII covenant and our pest-proof fence, this picturesque wetland habitat is a safe haven for a growing population of tuatara and a family of takahē.

One of our knowledgeable guides will take you through the tuatarium in search of the well-camouflaged tuatara as they bask near the entrances to their burrows. Tuatara are the sole surviving members of an ancient group of reptiles found only in New Zealand. Encountering a tuatara for the first time can transport you to a pre-historic world!

Observe the endearing takahē, a New Zealand conservation icon. Thought to be lost forever, takahē made history when they were rediscovered in the remote mountains of Fiordland in 1948. This large, flightless bird helped shape the future of conservation techniques in Aotearoa. By booking on this tour, your contribution helps Sanctuary Mountain® Maungatautari contribute to the Department of Conservation's takahē recovery programme.