Welcome to Cape Sanctuary

Cape Sanctuary is New Zealand’s largest privately owned and funded ‘mainland island’ conservation project, running since 2006.

About Us

Cape Sanctuary was established in 2006, with a local family’s ambition to rewrite the future of Hawke’s Bays declining birdlife. Our strong focus on habitat restoration and pest-control has facilitated the translocation of many endangered species back to the peninsula.

Cape Sanctuary looks forward to the next phase of translocations, with a focus on seabird species.

Where to from here? Follow our progress via our quarterly newsletter, Facebook and Instagram to stay updated on the latest developments and sanctuary news, and where you can get involved.

Who We Are

  • Andy Lowe

    Land Owner / Founder

  • Julian and Josie Robertson

    Co-founders

  • Liz Lowe

    Land Owner / Founder

  • Dawn hariata Baker

    Cultural Liason, Ngati Mihiroa

  • Rachel Ward

    General Manager

  • TAMSIN WARD-SMITH

    Ecological Advisor

  • RICK

    Nursery Staff

  • Whati Hills

    Predator Control Field Lead

Cape Sanctuary Tours Now Available

Sixteen years in the making, Cape Sanctuary in partnership with Gannet Safari’s is now offering guided tours!

Venture across the formidable landscape of the Ocean Beach Wilderness Area, the heart of New Zealand's largest privately owned and operated wildlife sanctuary. Experience the impact of Cape Sanctuary's conservation efforts in real-time through up-close encounters with endangered species. Learn about Cape Sanctuary's nationally significant sand-dune restoration, coastal revegetation, species translocations and leading sea-bird restoration projects. Enjoy one of Hawke's Bay's best kept secrets in this three-and-a-half hour journey!