Bird numbers are set to be slashed and operating hours reduced at Te Anau's popular Bird Sanctuary, after an announcement today (28 Jul) by the Department of Conservation (DOC).

In a statement DOC said the sanctuary would continue to care for the six takahē, with tours available on weekday, however other birds, including four pāteke/brown teal, two kōwhiowhio/blue duck, and four Antipodes Island kakariki, would be moving to new homes in the coming months.

The move was part of a shift towards a more flexible and sustainable operating model, as DOC redirected resources to higher priority conservation work, the statement said.

Te Anau's popular Bird Sanctuary has suffered from a lack of direction and investment. In February 2025 DOC announced it was withdrawing its management of the facility and would be actively exploring alternatives. Photo: Southland App

The sanctuary's future has been up in the air since February, after its DOC managers announced they were withdrawing management of the facility.

The DOC withdrawal subsequently created a public outcry, with several local groups forming to save the park and a public consultation process on the future of the park by Southland's regional development agency Great South in conjunction with DOC, site owners Southland Fish and Game and iwi Ōraka Aparima Rūnaka

Today's DOC announcement comes before the completion of the Great South survey on 3rd August.

Te Anau Bird Sanctuary's six takahē are likely to be the only birds left at the popular facility after todays decision by DOC to remove all other birds from the facility. Photo: Liz Newell

DOC Operations Manager for Te Anau, John Lucus, said the decision has not been made lightly, but DOC needed to prioritise resources where they could be most effective.

“Reduced hours and fewer birds will help us care for the site and its taonga species in a sustainable way, and ensure Te Anau Bird Sanctuary remains open to the public.”

“We share the passion the Te Anau community has for the bird sanctuary, and know it holds a special place in the hearts of many."

Kākāriki (Antipodes Island Parakeet) may not be calling the Te Anau bird sanctuary home for much longer after today's DOC decision. Photo: Chris Watson/Profocus

"This is the best way to meet the needs of the region, while keeping the Sanctuary up and running.”

Save our Sanctuary group spokesperson Ken Brown said DOC's announcement was a sigh of relief if it meant that the birds were remaining for the next month or two.

"It gets us through the consultation process and after that there will be a decision made... as to how we can go forward."

"If the birds are there, then that gives us a fighting chance to actually redevelop the park over the next season," Brown said.

Two Kōwhiowhio (Whio / Blue Duck) are set to be relocated from the Te Anau Bird Sanctuary over the next few months. Photo: Chris Watson/Profocus

"We know we can get funding, and we can get organised to work with DOC and Fish and Game to run the park through the next couple of years while we re-establish it."

Fiordland Community Board chair Diane Holmes said she thought the community would be disappointed by DOC's announcement.

"There is [currently] a process in place and I really do sincerely hope that out of this grows something better for the bird park and Te Anau"