Kia Ora and welcome to HealthPost Nature Trust
Our Wharariki Ecosanctuary is located at Cape Farewell in Golden Bay.
Creating a wondrous nature sanctuary in Wharariki/Farewell Spit, Golden Bay
HealthPost Nature Trust was formed in 2017, and works in partnership with HealthPost, Department of Conservation (DOC) and Manawhenua ki Mohua who all share a deep connection with the Wharariki/Farewell Spit area of Golden Bay.
Our goal is to create a safe environment for seabirds to breed again along the cliffs and dunes, and other native species to flourish in the forests and wetlands. We want the northwest tip of the South Island to become a wondrous nature sanctuary.
Turning a vision into action
Imagine a 25 kilometre long nature sanctuary protected from predators by ocean on both sides. That was Trust chair, Peter Butler’s vision, starting with Wharariki Ecosanctuary – now home to a three-hectare predator proof fence, as well as a number of successfully reintroduced endangered and threatened species.
Restoring biodiversity, together
Wharariki/Farewell Spit features dramatic landscapes which encompass wetland, rainforest, sand dune and even alpine biodiversity. Our dedicated coordinators and volunteers are planting and trapping to create habitat where remnant native species can flourish again.
Protecting threatened species
Internationally recognised as a seabird habitat, Wharariki/Farewell Spit is home to dozens of other native species, many endangered.
Almost 200 Pakahā Fluttering shearwater chicks have been reintroduced and fledged from 2022, to be followed by more and different species in subsequent years. A sustainable seabird hub and ecosystem will be created.
Our Story – the beginning of the Wharariki Ecosanctuary
New Zealand’s leading online natural health retailer, HealthPost, is based in the small Golden Bay township of Collingwood. In 2017 it was looking for a charity that its staff, customers and founding family could all feel passionate about it supporting.
Flying over Farewell Spit one day, Trust Chair Peter Butler, envisaged a 25 kilometre long nature sanctuary protected from predators by ocean on both sides. See his TEDx talk below. The Department of Conservation, who administer the land, signed a Memorandum of Understanding and HealthPost Nature Trust got to work. Regular funding is from HealthPost Ltd, along with other generous grants and donations.
Watch our chair, Peter Butler, sharing his inspiration and vision for Healthpost Nature Trust and discovering the Art of Giving.
Wharariki Ecosanctuary
Farewell Spit, Golden Bay
The northern most point of the South Island is Cape Farewell, jutting into the wild Tasman Ocean with cliffs on three sides. HealthPost Nature Trust built a three hectare predator proof fence across the fourth side to create the Wharariki Ecosanctuary. Our goal is to enable remnant populations of invertebrates to flourish and burrowing seabirds can be safely reintroduced from offshore islands.
Our Work
-
![]()
Reintroduction of seabirds
The eagerly anticipated translocation of the first 50 Pakahā/Fluttering Shearwater chicks to the Wharariki Ecosanctuary happened without a hitch in January 2022.
-
![]()
Annual Tree Planting
Thanks to a team effort with DOC and the local community we have planted 1000 grasses, kanuka and cabbage trees in our Wharariki Ecosanctuary – all grown for the HealthPost Nature Trust from locally sourced seed.
-
![]()
Te Whare Whakatā
With thanks to the Department of Conservation, in January 2021, the Trust opened a field station at the base of Farewell Spit. With the help of volunteers, we renovated the house to support our work.
-
![]()
Enhancing biodiversity
We have employed experts in their field to support our work, including a lizard expert who undertook a baseline survey across the Puponga farm park, where the rare Nelson green gecko and the more common Raukawa geckos make their home.
Exploring Blue Carbon potential at Farewell Spit
HealthPost Nature Trust is providing support for a groundbreaking ‘Blue Carbon’ study – an ongoing project looking at the carbon storage potential of seagrass.
This study is key in protecting and restoring our coastal ecosystems, as well as providing valuable data to combat climate change.
An estimated 25% of NZ’s seagrass is found right here at Farewell Spit!
Our Volunteers
Led by multi-talented coordinator, Marian Milne, the volunteers are the cornerstone of our work. They go out in all weathers to check traplines, feed seabirds and plant trees. It is a wonderful coming together of talented and giving people applying their varying skills to the collective vision - creating a wondrous nature sanctuary.
Recent news
Our Partners
We are very grateful to the support of our partners who have made our work possible.
The eco sanctuary recently hosted the Birds New Zealand youth camp at the whare.