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Story: Threatened species

Island sanctuaries

Offshore and nearshore island sanctuaries are an important way for the Department of Conservation to save threatened species. Many of these islands are free of predators, with an environment similar to what existed before humans arrived in New Zealand.

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How to cite this page

Gerard Hutching and Carl Walrond, Threatened species – Land management and conservation, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/interactive/14100/island-sanctuaries (accessed 3 June 2026).

Story by Gerard Hutching and Carl Walrond, published 2 March 2009.