It is a huge conservation achievement for Nelson that today 56 tuatara are being released at the Brook Waimārama Sanctuary. This is only possible because of 20 years of hard graft by the Sanctuary Trust and its volunteers and the support of Nelson City Council and the Department of Conservation.
Tuatara are “living fossils” that date back 250 million years. Humans, by comparison, have existed for 7 million years. Tuatara were the dominant small reptiles during the Jurassic period of dinosaurs and existed all over the world. They only survived here in New Zealand because of the lack of predators. They have been in rapid decline since the introduction of rats and other predators. Māori regard tuatara as tapu or sacred and in 1895, the reptiles were protected by law.
The tuatara is a reminder of the treasure chest of natural creatures that only exist in New Zealand. Our unique geological history where our land mass was separated from the major continents of the world means we have many thousands of species that exist only here. Many have become extinct or endangered due to the introduction of animals such as rats, cats, stoats, goats, deer, hedgehogs, possums and pigs.
New Zealand compares well internationally on many environmental issues such as our clean air, water quality, huge network of national parks, proportion of electricity that is renewable and the sustainability of our fisheries. However, we have more species at risk of extinction than any other country. This effort to protect the tuatara and provide safe havens for its survival is internationally important.
It is also a plus for Nelson’s visitor industry. The Sanctuary is only 10 minutes from the central city. There is a switch in tourism internationally away from people wanting to see animals in zoos to preferring to see them in their natural environment. The Brook Waimārama Sanctuary Trust recently took over the running of the adjacent Brook Valley Holiday Park from Council. Tuatara add value to the experience on offer for campers.
My thanks to the trustees, volunteers, Ngāti Koata and all who have played a role in creating this Sanctuary.
