For Bird enthusiasts the gardens are an oasis. Set on the edge of the harbour with a purpose built man made fresh water lake and with natural saline wetlands visitors can get up close and experience a fantastic area of the bird sanctuary. The wetlands area are home to a colony of Kawaupaka (little shags). We are blessed with a growing number of Kotuku-ngutupapa (Royal Spoonbill), white faced herons nest in the magnolias, paradise shelducks, black swans and Papango(black teal) grace the ponds. In the more formal areas of the gardens visitors can see Kea ( NZ Mountain Parrot), Kereru (Wood Pigeon), Kakariki ( NZ Parakeet). Accommodation is available for visitors to overnight and spend time photographing and enjoying the sanctuary.

So far four of last years seven Spoonbill have returned for nesting this year - 28 August 2008

Black Swans nesting again this season ( see last years signets below).