Zealandia Eco-Sanctuary’s International Figures Flying High

Media Release 26 April 2012

Zealandia Eco-Sanctuary’s International Figures Flying High

Zealandia (Karori Sanctuary) has been working hard to draw in more visitors during tough economic times – and numbers are on the up.

In the last 9 months the eco-sanctuary has seen a 38% growth in trade-sourced international visitors, welcoming 4,735 trade customers through the gates – up 1,300 on last year. Overall international visitation (Trade and FIT) to the sanctuary has grown 35% over the last seven months.

Zealandia CEO Nancy McIntosh-Ward says that adding value has been the primary strategy. One such initiative is a free shuttle from the City and Cable Car.

“We introduced the free shuttle in August 2011. It’s been very effective in removing the perceived transport obstacle independent travellers face. We are actually very much a part of city life here in Wellington and well served by public transportation, but an on-board survey shows 60% of our 7,250 passengers to date wouldn’t have made it to Zealandia without the free shuttle service.”

Value has also been added inside the sanctuary. Free guided tours and feeding talks run through the day - the majority led by impassioned volunteer guides. McIntosh-Ward says a visitor experience obstacle was realised and addressed.
“Not everyone understands a sanctuary or restoration project. To fully appreciate our visitor experience you need to change your pace and let the nature come to you – it’s wild after all. It is so rewarding to see our rare native species, like tuatara, saddleback, hihi and kākā living free and safe, and making a comeback to the City. The personal touch leaves a special memory for visitors and we’ve had fantastic reviews online and we pick up shining blog posts about us from all over the world.”

The chance to see nocturnal little spotted kiwi provides an alternative revenue source for the Trust; the last 9 months has seen a 42% growth in international visitors taking the popular Zealandia by Night Tour.

“Kiwi sightings have improved dramatically as the species breeds and tours have been improved. Glow-worms, rare frogs, tuatara and takahē are also common sightings, the sounds are incredible, you feel miles away from the City. Positively Wellington Tourism has helped promote the night tour; it’s an unforgettable experience also popular with media looking for Wellington’s ‘other’ wild night life”.

McIntosh-Ward says the reason the sanctuary could make such improvements so quickly is due to the organisation’s structure and philosophy.

“We’re proud of our success, especially as it’s counter-trend. Comparable attractions are not reporting this kind of growth. We have always been an independent Trust, with a strong volunteerism ethos among staff and no room for complacency. People work here because they believe in the vision and want to see it achieved.

About Zealandia: The Karori Sanctuary Experience

Zealandia is only 10 minutes from Wellington city centre.
Tours can be catered for individual requirements – 2 hours to all day, night tours also.
Translators are an option with notice.
Small groups and special interest groups are welcome.
Boat rides available. Food and function options.

Zealandia is managed by Karori Sanctuary Trust, a not-for-profit charitable community trust. It has a 500-year vision to restore this corner of New Zealand as closely as possible to the way it was ‘the day before humans arrived’.

Founded in 1995, in 1999 it became the world’s first fully-fenced eco-sanctuary. It has, to date, re-introduced 17 locally or nationally-endangered species into a wild state, including tuatara, little spotted kiwi, hihi and giant weta. As a result of these successes, at least 14 other fenced projects have been established in New Zealand.

In 2010 the Prime Minister opened the new $18m Zealandia Visitor Complex, New Zealand’s first facility fully-dedicated to showcasing NZ natural history and the story of our conservation movement. State-of-the-art interactive exhibits enable visitors to ‘step back in time 1,000 years and experience a long-lost world.

Zealandia is recognised around the world, not only for the groundbreaking work it is doing to turn back the clock, but also for the way it engages both locals and visitors in conservation. In 2009 it was recognised by the Global Restoration Network as one of the top 25 eco-restoration projects in Australasia, and in 2010 it received a prestigious Virgin Holidays Responsible Tourism Award at the World Travel Market in London. It has been consistently listed by The Rough Guide as one of New Zealand’s top attractions and was recently included in The Guardian’s Green Travel Guide as one of the top 75 green tourism companies in the world.

ENDS

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