New Zealand tree planting programme

New Zealand's indigenous biodiversity is considered by many to be of international interest. It is believed that life in Aotearoa New Zealand evolved in Gondwanaland as much as 250 million years ago and then in isolation for approximately 80 million years. This long isolation and the apparent failure of mammals to evolve left a unique, but now vulnerable indigenous flora and fauna. The relatively recent introduction of many pests (including rats, stoats and possums) has been harmful to forests and animals alike. They have decimated indigenous biodiversity and left many native species on (or over) the brink of extinction. The evidence from other projects, and now from Te Kopi, is that by controlling pest numbers, the remaining indigenous wildlife can be afforded a chance to recover.

The project takes its name, Te Kopi, from the 560 hectare headland at the extremity of the outer Pelorus Sound, which is connected by a narrow neck (Pipitawai) to the mainland. A pest-proof fence is under construction at Pipitawai, to further consolidate Te Kopi’s island-like environment. When the fence is completed and a general pest eradication undertaken, we look forward to the exciting prospect of reintroducing other endangered native fauna such as kiwi, takahe and tuatara to the safety of the sanctuary.

The surrounding area is also rich in Maori and early settler history. The Maori pa sites, pits and terracing, together with oral histories and local mythology, all indicate very early occupation. More recently, European settlers endured considerable hardship to make difficult land productive. Te Kopi endeavours to continue a tradition of kaitiakitanga, or custodianship, of the land. Unfortunately, economic pressures have seen recent degradation of the land and seascapes and the project wishes to promote a more balanced approach to development in such a sensitive area.

Te Kopi aspires to be a responsible member of the local community. Staff members are drawn primarily from the local community and from local iwi, forging social and cultural links integral to the project’s success. The Department of Conservation and the local council also support Te Kopi’s aspirations, but the project does not seek financial assistance from public sources.

There are several important wildlife sanctuaries nearby, as well as many private landowners in the area, that actively pursue native species recovery. Te Kopi wishes to contribute scale to this significant conservation archipelago, and seeks a positive future for the area founded on the economics of biodiversity.


Plant a tree and directly help with the Te Kopi biodiversity project. Escape clients can for a fee of $25 per tree (incl GST). Te Kopi will plant a tree in the best place suited to the project and will keep a record of donor name and where the tree was planted on a database. In the coming Months, tree donors will be listed on the Te Kopi website with a GPS position of their tree.
	Plant a tree: $25. View some photos of the TeKopi wildlife sanctuary
THE TE KOPI BIODIVERSITY PROJECT The Te Kopi Biodiversity Project is a wildlife sanctuary located in the outer Pelorus Sound, part of the Marlborough region of New Zealand. Many parts of the project also have wide aspects to Cook Strait and Admiralty Bay. The entire area is comprised of beautiful land and seascapes of immense scale. It is also impressive for its marine wildlife, which includes a variety of seabirds, dolphins and rays, fur seals, and orca. Terrestrial wildlife also includes locally endemic species, some of which are endangered. Even after almost a decade, Te Kopi remains in its development stages. The project aspires to help restore and conserve indigenous biodiversity and enhance the natural character of the environment, within the framework of its conservation based businesses.

Work so far has focused on environmental cleanup (many tonnes of rubbish and weed removal), pest control, native tree planting (over 150,000 plants connecting habitats) and walking trail construction. Clear results can be seen in the significant increase of native birds such as tui, bellbird, weka, woodpigeon, and in the recovering forests. The unique geography of the Pelorus Sound, Cook Strait and Admiralty Bay areas, populated with spectacular wildlife, offers visitors a remarkable ecotourism experience. Accommodation facilities, including the restoration of historic homesteads, are being developed to service a 3-4 day eco-tourism experience. Guided by local people, the walking trails, kayak routes and mountain biking tracks will provide an exciting and memorable stay in a stunningly beautiful part of the world. In the years ahead, a unique three day public trail and a 6 star luxury lodge are intended to join the world class tourism businesses showcasing the unique indigenous biodiversity.
New Zealand's indigenous biodiversity is considered by many to be of international interest. It is believed that life in Aotearoa New Zealand evolved in Gondwanaland as much as 250 million years ago and then in isolation for approximately 80 million years. This long isolation and the apparent failure of mammals to evolve left a unique, but now vulnerable indigenous flora and fauna. The relatively recent introduction of many pests (including rats, stoats and possums) has been harmful to forests and animals alike. They have decimated indigenous biodiversity and left many native species on (or over) the brink of extinction. The evidence from other projects, and now from Te Kopi, is that by controlling pest numbers, the remaining indigenous wildlife can be afforded a chance to recover. The project takes its name, Te Kopi, from the 560 hectare headland at the extremity of the outer Pelorus Sound, which is connected by a narrow neck (Pipitawai) to the mainland. A pest-proof fence is under construction at Pipitawai, to further consolidate Te Kopi’s island-like environment. When the fence is completed and a general pest eradication undertaken, we look forward to the exciting prospect of reintroducing other endangered native fauna such as kiwi, takahe and tuatara to the safety of the sanctuary. The surrounding area is also rich in Maori and early settler history. The Maori pa sites, pits and terracing, together with oral histories and local mythology, all indicate very early occupation. More recently, European settlers endured considerable hardship to make difficult land productive. Te Kopi endeavours to continue a tradition of kaitiakitanga, or custodianship, of the land. Unfortunately, economic pressures have seen recent degradation of the land and seascapes and the project wishes to promote a more balanced approach to development in such a sensitive area. Te Kopi aspires to be a responsible member of the local community. Staff members are drawn primarily from the local community and from local iwi, forging social and cultural links integral to the project’s success. The Department of Conservation and the local council also support Te Kopi’s aspirations, but the project does not seek financial assistance from public sources. There are several important wildlife sanctuaries nearby, as well as many private landowners in the area, that actively pursue native species recovery. Te Kopi wishes to contribute scale to this significant conservation archipelago, and seeks a positive future for the area founded on the economics of biodiversity.
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