Minaret Station’s Dedication to Conservation and Wildlife Protection

As you fly into Minaret Station, over the grand expanse of Lake Wanaka and above the canopies of the mountain ranges surrounding Minaret Station, you cannot see the threat to the native wildlife that lives below the camouflage of shrubbery covering the valley floor.

At Minaret Station we have a commitment to preserving the land and environment of Minaret Station and the surrounding region we are so fortunate to share with our guests. One of the ways in which we do this is by targeting areas that are specifically being impacted by introduced animal species, such as the Stoat which are the number-one killer of many of New Zealand’s endangered native species.

“Stoats are implicated in the extinction of South Island subspecies of bush wren, laughing owl and New Zealand thrush. Even a 3 kg takahe or 2 kg kakapo can be killed by a stoat, which also has a strategy of killing everything in sight and storing the surplus for later.” – Department of Conservation

Minaret Station’s team are involved in a range of conservation and pest control projects in the valleys surrounding the Alpine Lodge. With over 200 pest control traps spread throughout the valley of the station, as well as a trapping program along the West Coast which our guests are involved with during our West Coast experience. We aim to reduce the threat Stoats and other pests place on our delicate native flora and fauna.

One of the greatest honours at Minaret Station is sharing with our guests the iconic wild places that make up New Zealand and the land we are fortunate to call home. We strongly believe in doing our part to protect these places and be stewards of the land. By educating our guests and our involvement in various conservation efforts, we aim to share New Zealand’s unique landscapes and safeguard these places for future generations to enjoy.

Every effort is made by our team to protect the beauty and delicate balance of the station’s wild surroundings.

For more information on Stoats and the threat they possess, head to the Department of Conservation.