Short answer: DOC reported on 17 September 2026 that a survey at Brook Waimārama Sanctuary in Nelson counted close to 300 kākāriki karaka, New Zealand's rarest parakeet. The sanctuary now holds the world's largest population of the species. Explera DMC New Zealand can add a sanctuary visit to a Nelson stay for nature-minded groups.
Kākāriki karaka, also called the orange-fronted parakeet, is a small native parrot. DOC says around 450 remain, mostly in predator-free sanctuaries or on islands.
What did the survey find?
- Close to 300 birds. Rangers and volunteers counted more than 285 birds on one day and 229 the next.
- Strong growth. DOC said that is almost 100 more than the previous year's count.
- A young population. Kākāriki karaka were first introduced to the sanctuary in 2021.
- A shared programme. DOC and Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu lead the recovery programme, with captive breeding by The Isaac Conservation and Wildlife Trust and Orana Wildlife Park.
How does a sanctuary visit fit a group programme?
- Close to town. The sanctuary sits in the Brook Valley behind Nelson, so a visit fits a morning or afternoon without a long transfer.
- A walking visit. A sanctuary visit is on foot through native forest, so we check the group's walking ability and the tracks open on the day.
- Rare birds are hard to see. The count is good news, but small birds in forest are not always visible. We brief clients so they value the place itself, not a guaranteed sighting.
- Pair it with the coast. A sanctuary visit sits well beside Abel Tasman National Park and the region's food and wine.
How Explera DMC New Zealand can help
We plan Nelson Tasman stays for groups. See our Nelson guide, our Abel Tasman and Nelson coast guide, our wildlife sanctuaries guide and the nature and wildlife overview.
FAQ
Where is Brook Waimārama Sanctuary? In the Brook Valley in Nelson, at the top of the South Island.
What is a kākāriki karaka? New Zealand's rarest parakeet, also called the orange-fronted parakeet. DOC says around 450 remain.
How many kākāriki karaka live in the sanctuary? DOC's survey, reported on 17 September 2026, counted close to 300, with more than 285 birds on one day and 229 the next.
Will a group see kākāriki karaka? Sightings are not guaranteed. They are small birds in native forest, and we brief clients on that.
Can a sanctuary visit be combined with Abel Tasman? Yes. Both are in Nelson Tasman, and we plan them across a two or three night stay.
Sources
- New Zealand's rarest parakeet numbers soar in Nelson, Department of Conservation, 17 September 2026
Talk to the trade desk
Explera DMC New Zealand trade desk — b2b@explera.co.nz, WhatsApp +66 93 656 8090, B2B portal b2b.expleradmc.com.
