Free Weekend at Zealandia

"ZEALANDIA has become not only a world renowned conservation project, but also an award-winning visitor attraction," says ZEALANDIA Chief Executive Nancy McIntosh-Ward.

"We couldn't have achieved any of this without the support and confidence of Wellingtonians, and we want as many locals as possible to experience it."

Since the fence around the sanctuary was erected in 1995, 13 pest mammal species have been successfully excluded and more than 40 locally or nationally-threatened plant and animal species have been reintroduced. These days, the wildlife-rich square mile of the sanctuary is home to more than 30 kinds of native birds, hundreds of plant species and thousands of kinds of invertebrates.

The most recent innovation is an educational facility with a new exhibition that brings New Zealand's conservation story to life with state-of-the-art multimedia exhibits.

Residents of the greater Wellington region will have free admission to both the sanctuary valley and exhibition between 11.00am and 5.00pm this Saturday 16 and Sunday 17 October.