Taranaki’s only pest free sanctuary

Rotokare Scenic Reserve is a stunning 230ha forested hill-country catchment,  with extensive wetlands and a 17.8ha natural lake. The mature tawa, rewarewa, and mahoe-dominated forest is home to kiwi, ruru/morepork, kārearea/NZ falcon, tūī, korimako/bellbird, kereru/wood pigeon, riroriro/grey warbler, miromiro/tomtit, tīeke/saddleback, popokatea/whitehead and toutouwai/North Island robin, plus a variety of other bird species. The lake edge habitat consists of raupō, flax, and pukatea/kahikatea swamp forest – home to notable avian fauna such as mātātā/fernbird, pūweto/spotless crake, and piscine fauna like tuna/eels and banded kōkopu in the streams and lake.

Our Vision

Rotokare will be a thriving natural ecosystem that benefits & inspires wider conservation efforts within the community and throughout the region

Our Mission

We will achieve the highest level of restoration, protection & enhancement of the indigenous ecosystem at Rotokare Scenic Reserve & beyond. We will actively involve the community & provide the best opportunities for education, recreation, inspiration, & environmental sustainability

“The Great Wall of Rotokare” - Barry Hartley

The Fence

Following the recommendation of a feasibility study (Oecologico, 2005), the trust began the challenging task of fundraising for a $1.9M pest-proof fence to circle the 8.2km reserve perimeter. Thanks to the overwhelming public and sponsor support received, Xcluder Fence Company began construction work on this customised fence in November 2006, taking just over two years to complete it. Not just any ordinary fence!

Unlike your standard stock or garden fence, this fence has special features that make it a barrier to unwanted pests:

  • Its height, close to 2m tall, stops jumping animals such as cats from getting over the top;

  • A fine stainless steel mesh (25mm x 6mm) is small enough to stop even baby mice from getting through;

  • A smooth, rolled hood prevents climbing animals like possums from getting a grip to climb over; and

  • A skirt that goes underground acts as a barrier to digging animals like rabbits and hares. 

Rotokare's fence follows a ridgeline, making it less likely to be damaged by falling trees. This path ensures that the entire headwater catchment is enclosed within the fence, preventing any contaminants from entering the reserve from surrounding land.

The fence has a surveillance system with an electric tripwire which runs along the top of the fence; if a tree falls on the fence, the wire shorts itself on the metal pigtails through which it passes, and a text message informs the Site Manager of an obstruction. This system allows fast and efficient repairs to be made before any sneaky pests can get in!

Biodiversity

Biosecurity

Community