Our Mission
To restore and protect a slice of the Whakatipu basin’s dryland environment
Our Purpose
Queenstown is experiencing rapid growth, with continued development placing increasing pressure on the natural environment. Across Otago, much of the original landscape has already been heavily modified, with native habitats reduced and fragmented over time.
This sanctuary protects a small but important remnant within a highly developed landscape on Peninsula Hill, providing a secure environment where indigenous lizards can persist and thrive.
The project was initiated by the Mee family who are local landowners, as part of the Peninsula Hill subdivision.
What We Do
Predator Eradication
Fence construction was completed in 2025. Since then, we have over 100 traps and bait stations actively working to eradicate the exotic pests that remain within. To date, less than 5 rabbits and a few mice are all that remains.
Monitoring & Research
We’re gathering data to help us understand how lizards respond to the removal of predators in a dryland environment, as well as how they respond to the habitats we have made for them.
Frequent monitoring has to occur to ensure no fence breaches occur, as a single intrusion can be devastating for the rare lizards hidden safely inside the fence.
Habitat Restoration
Over 2000 native plants have been planted into the sanctuary, including shrubland, wetland plants, and native grassland. Over 120 square metres of rocky schist outcrop has been hand-built for lizards to inhabit, with specific lizard food plants established in and around these areas.
The team has removed a mountain of exotic woody weeds, mostly scotch broom and briar rose, and weed control will continue into the future.
Meet Our Lizards
McCann’s Skink
Mountain Beech Gecko
Future Inhabitants
Learn more about the lizards that call Whakatipu Lizard Sanctuary home, and our plans to protect and expand their habitat
Photo Credit: Carey Knox
Whakatipu Lizard Sanctuary is a long-term ecological restoration project overlooking Lake Whakatipu, focused on protecting and restoring a slice of Central Otago’s rare dryland ecosystem.
Embedded within a living landscape, the sanctuary is carefully managed to support native lizards, plants, a wetland and dryland communities that have largely disappeared from the region.
The sanctuary was born through integrating restoration, pest control, and ongoing stewardship into the fabric of the Peninsula Hill housing development. The sanctuary is an example of what it looks like to develop with nature, not at its expense.
Key Objectives
Predator Control
Eradicating and continuing to exclude introduced predators to remove human induced predation pressure on lizard populations.
Vegetation Management
Controlling invasive plant species while supporting the recovery of native vegetation.
Habitat Restoration
Creating and enhancing a range of habitats, including rock refuges, shrubland, wetland and grassland systems.
Long-term Monitoring
Tracking lizard populations and habitat condition to guide ongoing management.
What the Future Holds
Species Translocations
Future translocations may be explored to reintroduce locally appropriate lizard species where suitable habitat and long-term protection can be provided.
Community Events
We’re looking to create opportunities to involve the local community through small scale planting days or conservation focused events in time.
Private Tours
In the future, limited access experiences may be considered to share the sanctuary and its story in a carefully managed way.