Shakespear Open Sanctuary

Our wildlife haven is part of Shakespear Regional Park, located 50 minutes from Auckland City on the scenic Whangaparaoa Peninsula and offering magnificent beaches and panoramic views.

Close to the island bird sanctuary of Tiritiri Matangi, Shakespear Regional Park was considered an ideal site to create an open sanctuary. The sanctuary includes most of the Park and smaller parcels of land owned by the New Zealand Defence Force (off limits to the public) and the Auckland Council.

The sanctuary was established in 2010 by the construction of a pest-proof fence across the peninsula, after which all predator species were removed. An extensive and ongoing system of trapping and monitoring is required to ensure that the Sanctuary remains free of pests while allowing open access to visitors.