WILDERNESS
Sharing the Wonder of Puhi Peaks Station
Puhi Peaks Station is the highest privately owned property in New Zealand, rising from 400m to 2600m. Its extraordinary range of topography makes it a world of its own. The geology of Puhi Peaks is particularly unique, and the extensive range of biodiversity is truly exceptional. Puhi Peaks Nature Reserve is internationally renowned for its rare and endangered flora and fauna. The ecology of this QE II-protected area is quite outstanding.
The most famous is the Hutton’s Shearwater, the only seabird in the world to nest in the subalpine zone at 1800m above sea level. The colony at Puhi Peaks is one of only two remaining wild breeding colonies in the world. Puhi Peaks is also home to an absolutely beautiful tree native to New Zealand, the Olearia Hectorii - with only six populations left in the whole country, we are delighted to protect and preserve one of its last strongholds.
We gladly welcome all to Puhi Peaks. It is our pleasure to share these and other wonders with our local community, students, researchers, national and international visitors, so that we can inspire, nurture, and foster a love and passion for taking care of New Zealand’s wilderness.
Kaitiakitanga - Guardianship for future generations.
Bio-Diversity
Sharing the Wonder of Puhi Peaks Station
Puhi Peaks station is home to a number of rare and endangered native species. We are proud to be home of the critically endangered Hutton’s Shearwater, the only seabird in the world that nests in the sub alpine environment of the mountains. Our colony on is one of only two remaining wild colonies in the world!
In order to protect out taonga (treasures) we actively manage invasive species through trapping programs, weed control and by following sustainable farming practices. In addition we have a Queen Elizabeth II Open Space covenant that permanently protects the special natural features of Puhi Peaks Nature Reserve. The agreement is entered into voluntarily and binds current and all subsequent landowners in perpetuity. The covenant is registered on the title to the land.
The Critically Endangered Hutton’s Shearwater
The famous Hutton’s Shearwater (Kaikoura titi), is the only seabird in the world to nest in the subalpine at 1800m above sea level. These beautiful and gracious birds leave their habitat to feed on the abundant waters of the Kaikoura peninsular before returning to their habitat; a rare and unique transit that at times provides breathtaking visual experiences from the shores of Kaikoura. Our colony at Puhi Peaks is one of only two remaining wild breeding colonies in the world and are a beautiful sight to be seen high in the alpine environment we proudly call their home.
Shearwater numbers have been badly effected by the impact of predators such as pigs and stoats and at Puhi Peaks we have an extensive predator trapping and hunting control programme, that sees us work in partnership with external agencies and local volunteers to constantly increase our trap numbers and effectiveness, and to monitor the performance and impact of our control programmes.
Over coming months, we will be commencing a sponsorship programme where individuals, companies and corporates can invest in predator control at Puhi Peaks, thereby playing a part in the protection of threatened species and receiving regular updates and reports on the impact of their investment in protecting the future of these treasures.
Kaitiakitanga - Guardianship for future generations.
ECO VISION
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ENERGY
Our visitor accommodation at Puhi Peaks Station is powered by our own renewable energy system, which is driven by a micro-hydro system that draws water from the Happy Valley stream that flows into a valley adjacent to one of the lodges.
Our imminent development plan for further visitor accommodation will see us broaden the reach of the hydro system, working in combination with our existing and future increased use of solar energy.
Where at all possible, we continue to seek every opportunity to harness natural sources of energy whilst at that same time encouraging energy conservation in all that we and our customers do.
Utilising the benefits of water and solar energy - one of our key focuses towards protecting the environment.
We will continue to seek ways to make further gains in this area.
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WASTE
The wellbeing of our community and our environment are key drivers for our business and we try to ensure we operate in a manner that looks after both.
We operate a policy 'towards zero waste' as part of our business philosophy; from local procurement considerations, to reducing waste on site, minimising water use and our approach to both pest control and humane animal management.
With consumables, we separate paper, cans, plastic, glass and other waste, which is then transported to the re-cycling centre in nearby Kaikoura, where everything is processed to be reused.
We encourage guests to take as little as possible into our accommodation units and we educate our staff and guests about the benefits of green policies.
In our day to day maintenance and improvements programmes at the Station, we are constantly looking at ways we can re-use or re-purpose items that can serve a future purpose, minimising waste wherever we can.
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SUSTAINABILITY
Puhi Peaks is home to a number of rare and endangered species. In order to protect our taonga (treasures) we invest heavily and actively manage invasive species through trapping programmes, weed control and by following sustainable farming practices.
We have committed over 2,000 acres into the Queen Elizabeth II Open Space reserve programme, in order to regenerate this land into full native protection. This Covenant agreement is entered into voluntarily and binds current and all subsequent land owners, thereby protecting the area into perpetuity.
In the near term, we plan to establish a Puhi Peaks Conservation Trust that will oversee the delivery and management of our biodiversity strategy. Within this, we will be engaging the wider community in terms of providing volunteering opportunities to support our trapping and protection programmes on the Station.
We will also be creating opportunities for individuals or businesses to consider donating to our wider trapping and regeneration programme, which will include us providing ongoing reporting to monitor and celebrate the success and performance of our protection programmes.
Kaitiakitanga - guardianship for future generations.
Kaikoura Area
