The Trust acknowledges Te Atiawa as mana whenua iwi of the Takaka Hill rohe
The Takaka Hill Biodiversity Group Trust community as recent kaitiakitanga aim to protect and restore natural resources within this rohe where the community lives and works.
We aim to protect and restore the unique Takaka Hill ecosystems home to endangered species in Significant Natural Areas on private and public conservation land, including areas of the Abel Tasman and Kahurangi National Parks.
Our Goals
The Trust is committed to taking a whole ecosystem approach to address multiple threats and challenges that native species face simultaneously. Habitat loss, invasive species, pollution, and climate change impact ecosystems. By managing these issues at the ecosystem level, we can implement comprehensive strategies that tackle multiple threats and promote the resilience of the entire ecosystem.
Restore and protect Takaka Hill ecosystems
Control predator and pest species
Achieve biodiversity gains over the next 30 years
Increase the population of Takaka Hill native species
Support Our Holistic Approach
Donating to the Takaka Hill Biodiversity Group Trust supports our approach of considering the entire ecosystem in our restoration and protection work. This is because ecosystems are complex and interconnected, with various species and their environment interacting in a web of relationships. By focusing on the entire ecosystem, we recognise that the health and well-being of one species often rely on the health and well-being of other species in the same ecosystem. Therefore, to protect threatened native species effectively, we must consider the whole ecosystem.
Thank you for your support!
Nature knows no boundaries
Protecting endangered species requires safeguarding the entire interconnected ecosystems they depend on.
New Discovery: Unique Mite Harvester Species Discovered in Tākaka Hill Caves!
The Tākaka Hill Biodiversity Group Trust has contributed to the discovery of a cave-adapted mite harvester species in the Tākaka Hill karst system — a significant addition to our understanding of New Zealand’s subterranean biodiversity.
Through our Cave Fauna Project, delivered in collaboration with the New Zealand Speleological Society and supported by Rātā Foundation and Hāpai Hapori Lotteries Environment and Heritage, we have been undertaking systematic cave biodiversity surveys across the Tākaka Hill area.
The identification of this species from Woolshed Cave highlights both the ecological significance of these systems and the role that community-led conservation can play in advancing scientific knowledge.
Our Work
Delivering landscape-scale biodiversity restoration on Tākaka Hill
We are an active, community-led conservation trust delivering integrated restoration across one of Aotearoa’s most ecologically significant karst landscapes.
Current work includes:
Establishment of the Tākaka Hill Karst Forest Sanctuary
Predator and ungulate control across priority habitats
Biodiversity monitoring programmes, including vegetation plots, acoustic monitoring and lizard monitoring
Cave biodiversity research, including nationally significant species discovery
Delivery of steep-slope restoration planting in partnership with Fulton Hogan along the SH60 corridor
Development of a Biodiversity Credits pilot project
Our Goals
We take a whole-ecosystem approach to conservation — recognising that biodiversity outcomes depend on the interaction of species, habitats, and environmental processes.
Rather than addressing threats in isolation, we focus on integrated action across the landscape.
Our work integrates:
Habitat protection and restoration
Predator and herbivore control
Long-term ecological monitoring
Community and landowner engagement
Research partnerships
This approach ensures that conservation outcomes are not only achieved, but measured, sustained, and scalable over time.
Support This Work
Supporting the Tākaka Hill Biodiversity Group Trust means investing in a long-term, landscape-scale conservation programme.
Your support helps:
Restore native ecosystems
Protect threatened species
Deliver measurable biodiversity outcomes
Build community-led conservation capability
Stay Connected
Follow our journey as we restore and protect the biodiversity of Tākaka Hill.
We regularly share:
Project updates
Fieldwork insights
Research findings
Behind-the-scenes conservation work
Follow us on Facebook
Welcome to the Tākaka Hill Biodiversity Group Trust!
Join us on our journey as we work to restore and protect the unique biodiversity of Tākaka Hill. Our mission is to promote conservation efforts in this stunning sub alpine area, home to unique native plants and animals. By following our page, you'll gain access to updates on our initiatives, educational information, community events, and volunteer opportunities.
Together, we can make a positive impact on our environment! Connect with us to learn more, share our passion for Aotearoa, New Zealand and stay informed about how you can contribute to preserving the beauty and biodiversity of Takaka Hill. Let's make a difference together!
Follow us now and be part of our community.
THBGT latest News and Media
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![A vintage-style portable radio with red plaid speaker covers, set on a tree stump in a grassy outdoor area, with a fence in the background. The image includes RNZ National logo and text indicating 'Rural News'.]()
Trust Project Manager discusses the importance of goat control on Morning Rural News
November 2025
On 19 November, RNZ Rural News (1:27), our project manager, Charmaine Petereit, discussed the impact of feral goats on our native forests.
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![Close-up of a small reddish-brown tick on a textured surface.]()
Groundbreaking discovery in cave ecosystem
September 2025
The Takaka Hill Biodiversity Group Trust, in collaboration with the New Zealand Speleological Society, has made a remarkable contribution to the understanding of New Zealand’s subterranean biodiversity.
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![Close-up of a small reddish-brown tick on a rocky surface.]()
New Discovery: Unique Mite Harvester Species Discovered in Tākaka Hill Caves!
August 2025
The Tākaka Hill Biodiversity Group Trust played a significant role in the discovery and study of cave-adapted mite harvesters in New Zealand. Established in collaboration with the New Zealand Speleological Society (NSG) and supported by the Rātā Foundation and Hāpai Hapori Lotteries Environment and Heritage Funding, the Trust initiated the Cave Fauna Project to survey biodiversity in caves within the Tākaka region systematically.
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![Person carrying a large black dog on their shoulders at night, outdoors in a grassy area.]()
Observation of the Month: Wild Pigs Ploughing Up the Forest Floor!
June-July 2025
Wild pigs are a significant but often overlooked pest in New Zealand’s forests, having been introduced the country in the 18th century. Their foraging disrupts soil layers and destroys native plants, endangering species like the threatened Powelliphanta hochstetteri giant land snail.
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![Small green mushrooms growing among moss, twigs, and soil in a forest environment.]()
Observation of the Month: Fabulous Fungi
May-June 2025
May was a fantastic month for spotting fungi, focusing on looking down at the ground instead of up in the trees, thanks to plenty of rain and reasonably warm weather.
Fungi play a crucial role in the Tākaka Hill ecosystems, serving as essential decomposers that recycle nutrients in the environment.
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Radio Interview: New Spider Discovery!
May 2025
Check out an interview with Charmaine Petereit, Project Manager of the Tākaka Hill Biodiversity Group Trust, as she chats with Blair Kiddey from The Breeze about the exciting discovery of a new cave spider species on Takaka Hill. Learn how this finding highlights the region's incredible biodiversity and the importance of our conservation efforts.
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![Black bear walking on a trail near a wooden fence and wooded hillside.]()
Observation of the Month: Protecting Native Species from Cats
February-March 2025
A recently installed trail camera along one of our driveways has uncovered alarming evidence of unexpected foot traffic, specifically, an unfamiliar cat. As well as recording Weka, rabbits, possums, and hares, this new visitor is a cause for concern. We’ve confirmed that this cat isn’t owned by anyone locally.
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![A female caver in a red suit and orange helmet kneels inside a dark cave, examining a small container, with cave walls and rocks surrounding her.]()
‘Groundbreaking’ discoveries in Tākaka Hill caves
May 2025
Remarkable crustaceans, isopods and a new species of spider have been discovered in the Tākaka Hill caves.
The Tākaka Hill Biodiversity Group Trust recently undertook their 2025 Cave Fauna Survey, with a dedicated team venturing into 13 caves, navigating tough conditions to gather essential data for identification and genetic research.
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![A scuba diver wearing a red helmet with a mounted GoPro, black wetsuit, and blue gloves, smiling and holding a small object while standing in a foam-filled water inside a cave.]()
Tākaka Hill reveals cave secrets
January 2025
From shimmering rock pools to stunning chambers, the Tākaka Hill Biodiversity Group Trust has successfully completed their Cave Fauna Survey for 2025.
Earlier this month, a dedicated team conducted comprehensive fauna sampling from 13 caves in the Tākaka Hill region and the surrounding Tākaka area.
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Conservation Progress for Nelson Green Gecko on Tākaka Hill
December 2024
Following the exciting discovery in January 2024 of a Nationally Vulnerable Nelson Green Gecko (Naultinus stellatus) population on Tākaka Hill, Tākaka Hill Biodiversity Group Trust, in collaboration with dedicated local landowners and Ravensdown Ltd, has made significant strides in conservation efforts aimed at protecting the remarkable species and its habitat.
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![Group of seven people standing outdoors on grass at sunset with open landscape and hills in background.]()
Biodiversity group up for national award
March 2024
The Tākaka Hill Biodiversity Group Trust has been selected as one of the three finalists for the 2024 Ministry of Primary Industries Bioheritage Challenge Community Award.
The Bioheritage category is based on groups or individuals being recognised for their biosecurity work protecting our natural and physical resources from pests and diseases that can cause harm.
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![A green and white lizard resting on a branch amidst dense green foliage and brown twigs.]()
Vulnerable Nelson Green Geckos found thriving on Tākaka Hill
January 2024
The discovery of threatened Nelson Green Geckos on Tākaka Hill on Saturday evening has given hope for the species’ survival.
Charmaine and Norman Petereit of the Tākaka Hill Biodiversity Group Trust made the discovery on private land bordering Kahurangi National Park, coming across three of the rarely seen species, suggesting there could be a thriving population in the location.
Partners in Collaboration
The Trust acknowledges Te Atiawa, Ngāti Rārua and Ngāti Tama as mana whenua iwi of the Tākaka Hill rohe
The Tākaka Hill Biodiversity Group Trust community, as recent kaitiakitanga, aims to protect and restore natural resources within this rohe where we live and work.
We aim to protect and restore the unique Tākaka Hill ecosystems, which are home to endangered species in Significant Natural Areas on both private and public conservation land, including areas of the Abel Tasman and Kahurangi National Parks.
