73 Tuatara from the Southland Museum & Art Gallery have been flown up the country and returned to their ancestral homeland in the Marlborough Sounds this week. 

The Takapourewa/Stephens Island tuatara have been added to wild tuatara populations at two Marlborough Sounds’ reserves.

The tuatara travelled direct from Invercargill to Nelson on a dedicated Air New Zealand charter flight.

A tuatara in a travel tube. Photo Department of Conservation

Cocooned in special transportation tubes sized to fit each individual tuatara, the precious taonga were kept safe and sound on their journey to their new island home.

The rehomed tuatara have all been bred by Invercargill City Council Senior Living Species Officer – tuatara, Lindsay Hazley.

He has been in his role for 50 years and said he was so excited to see the tuatara return home to their natural environment.

“It’s the absolute ultimate goal for anyone in my line of work – to see a species not only survive, but to thrive in captivity to a point where we are now able to release them back into the wild where they belong,” he said.

“In recent years, new partnerships with Ngāti Koata and Ngāi Tahu have been forged, which has meant that we are able to return these very special creatures to their ancestral home.”

The relocation was a collaborative achievement between Ngāti Koata iwi, kaitiaki (guardians) of the taonga species, Kāi Tahu ki Murihiku/Ngāi Tahu papatipu rūnaka ki Murihiku, Invercargill City Council, DOC, Victoria University of Wellington and Wellington Zoo, including veterinarians and tuatara specialists.

Hamuwera Robb of Ngati Koata with a tuatara.

Ngāti Koata Cultural Manager Louisa Paul thanked all those involved for helping to bring the project to fruition.

“Mā pango mā whero ka oti te mahi - through cooperation the work can be completed.”

Famed and much-loved tuatara Henry, Lucy and Mildred remain at the Southland Museum, along with 14 other tuatara.

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The translocation was equally special for Invercargill City Council staff member Zealan Simpkins, who is also Ngāti Koata.

“This is extra special for me, as being of Ngāti Koata descent, this translocation process is allowing me to reconnect with our taonga - being the tuatara, my whanau, hau kāinga and the people of Southland,” Mr Simpkins said

Department of Conservation (DOC) Tuatara Recovery Group Leader Lynn Adams also thanked Southland for its dedicated care of the tuatara. 

“Tuatara are held at a number of zoos and wildlife centres as insurance for the survival of the species should there be a threat to wild tuatara populations. It also provides opportunities for people to see these unique, ancient reptiles and learn more about them.”

Zealan and Charlee Simpkins release tuatara.

Air New Zealand Head of Sustainability Lisa Daniell said the airline – in partnership with DOC – has transported nearly 4,000 threatened species and conservation dogs to date.

She said it’s been very positive to see so many different organisations and sectors working together on the re-location – “for the good of this incredible species.”