Orokonui Ecosanctuary facts for kids
The Orokonui Ecosanctuary, also known as Te Korowai o Mihiwaka in Māori, is a special wildlife sanctuary. It's like an "ecological island" where native plants and animals can live safely. The Otago Natural History Trust created this reserve in the Orokonui Valley, which is about 20 kilometers (12 miles) north of Dunedin, New Zealand. It's located between the towns of Waitati and Pūrākaunui.
Contents
How the Sanctuary Started
The Idea Begins
The idea for a wildlife sanctuary near Dunedin first came up in 1982. A New Zealand cartoonist named Burton Silver and his friends thought about it. In July 1983, they suggested turning an old factory in Dunedin into a huge birdhouse, called an aviary. This plan didn't happen, but it led to something important. In August 1983, they formed a group called the Otago Natural History Trust. This group is a charitable trust, which means it works for the good of the community.
The trust's first idea for a sanctuary at Orokonui didn't work out, and the group stopped meeting for a while. But in 1995, a place called the Karori Wildlife Sanctuary opened in Wellington. This inspired the trust members again! Ralph Allen, who was still part of the trust, brought the idea back to life. The local Māori group, the Runaka of Kati Huirapa from Puketeraki, also started to support the trust.
Finding the Perfect Place
The Ecosanctuary is in a valley that faces north. It covers about 250 hectares (about 618 acres) of land. This land is covered with native New Zealand forests that are growing back.
The trust was allowed to use 230 hectares (568 acres) of the Orokonui Conservation Area. This area is about 20 kilometers (12 miles) north of central Dunedin. The New Zealand Department of Conservation (often called DOC) approved the trust's use of the land. On April 27, 2006, Chris Carter, who was the New Zealand Minister of Conservation, visited the Orokonui site. The trust also bought an extra 67 hectares (166 acres) of land next to the Conservation Area. An additional 57 hectares (141 acres) were given as a gift from a nearby landowner. This made the proposed Ecosanctuary area 20% larger!
In May 2007, the trust announced that the sanctuary might grow even more in the future by using nearby public land.
Getting Support and Money
To make the sanctuary happen, the trust needed to raise money. They started asking for donations in November 2005.
The trust held two public fundraising campaigns in 2006 and 2007. People were asked to donate their 5-cent coins, which were soon going to be taken out of use in New Zealand. There was also a "sponsor a fencepost" campaign. This was done with the local newspaper, the Otago Daily Times.
Many businesses and charities, mostly from Dunedin, also became sponsors. The main supporters included a local organization that helps the community and the Otago Regional Council.
The Land's Past
The Orokonui Valley used to be part of a hospital farm. In the past, trees were cut down, and animals grazed there. Some parts of the valley were planted with Eucalyptus regnans trees. One of these eucalyptus trees is the tallest measured tree in New Zealand! The old hospital property was later divided. The land used for farming went to a company called Landcorp. The main part of the land became the Orokonui Conservation Area, managed by the DOC.
Images for kids
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Part of the pest-exclusion fence surrounding the Orokonui Ecosanctuary
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Kaka were the first species to be introduced
