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Sanatorium Reserve Restoration

The Sanatorium Reserve is a nationally significant geothermal landscape on the edge of the Rotorua CBD. The area provides a habitat for endangered birds, threatened long-tailed bats and rare geothermal plant species, as well as being a popular destination for locals and visitors.

What is being proposed?
He aha e marohitia ana?

The Sanatorium Reserve land was gifted to the people of Rotorua by Ngāti Whakaue as part of the Fenton Agreement back in 1880. The 77-hectare reserve skirts Lake Rotorua on its northern side, Te Ngae Road to the south, Puarenga Stream to the east, and the PolynesianSpa to the west.

The Sanatorium, Sulphur Point and geothermal habitats on the eastern side of the Puarenga Stream comprise the fourth largest area of geothermal habitat in New Zealand and are nationally significant.

The site provides Rotorua with a unique environmental restoration opportunity and visitor destination within the heart of the city.

The project has two main stages.

Stage 1: Ecological restoration

An ecological management plan for the reserve has been developed by Rotorua-based Wildland Consultants, to provide a guide to restoration of the site.

The ecological restoration objectives are:
• Vegetation at the site is returned to its unique geothermal composition, free of weeds.
• Birds and other indigenous fauna thrive at the site, and pest animal numbers are low.
• The site is safe for all users.
• A unique visitor experience is provided through both the ecological restoration and other initiatives that enhance the visitor experience.
Ongoing restoration work for the project includes pest animal control, pest plant and tree removal (predominantly arrow bamboo) and ongoing ecological monitoring.

Pest plants and trees at Sanatourium Reserve in January 2020 with a road in the foreground

Before pest plant removal January 2020

The effect of the removal of pest plants and trees at Sanatourium Reserve in July 2020 with a road in the foreground

After pest plant removal July 2020

Stage 2: Infrastructure enhancement

The second stage of the project will include re-vegetation and re-purposing of the surrounding land and buildings in the centre of the reserve; development of appropriate infrastructure such as viewing platforms; cultural/ecological interpretation; and collaboration to fit in with the upgrade of the wastewater treatment plant.
Work in the reserve commenced in September 2018.

Mayor Steve Chadwick talks about the Sanatorium Reserve project:

Why is this project important?
He aha te tino take o te hinonga?

The Sanatorium, Sulphur Point and the geothermal habitats on the eastern side of the Puarenga Stream comprise the fourth largest area of geothermal habitat in New Zealand and are considered to be nationally significant. The area provides a habitat for endangered birds, threatened long-tailed bats and rare geothermal plant species, and is a popular destination for locals and visitors. The site provides Rotorua with a unique environmental restoration opportunity and visitor destination within the heart of our city.

How is this being funded?
I ahu mai te pūtea i hea?

Funding for the restoration has been allocated in the Rotorua Lakes Council 2018-2028 Long-Term Plan. In addition, $80,000 has been secured from the Lotteries Environment Fund and Pub Charities for work in 2018-2020. Further funding is being sought to complete the enhancement work.

Timeline
Rārangi Wā

The plan is for the restoration project to occur over five years

  • 19 September 2018 – Work begins
  • 24 October 2018 – Weed and bamboo removal continues
  • 13 April 2019 – Long-tailed bats discovered

Who has been part of the project development?
Nā wai te hinonga i whakarite?

A Council project team has been set up, with Richard Dahlenburg as Project Manager. Wildland Consultants Limited have been contracted to deliver the first three years of the restoration work. A stakeholder group of iwi and conservation partners and reserve users has been guiding the planning for the Reserve.

News updates
Whakahou kawepūrongo

Thumbnail of the ​24 September 2020 – Sanatorium Reserve Restoration project newsletter

24 September 2020 – Sanatorium Reserve Restoration project newsletter - (PDF, 7.4MB)

28 September 2019 – Inner city parks upgrades

13 April 2019 – Long-tailed bats have been found in the Sanatorium Reserve

24 October 2018 – Progress update at Sanatorium Reserve

19 September 2018 – Geothermal wonder to be restored

FAQs
Pātai Putuputu

Weed control

Weed control operations are going well with significant amounts of bamboo already cleared by Wildland Consultants Limited. The arrow bamboo is removed by a remote-controlled mulcher and sprayed to discourage grow-back. Wildlands have continued this process during the three years of this project which has resulted in a significant reduction in pest plant species. Removal of other plant pest species such as eucalyptus, wattles and pines has also cleared a significant amount of land to enable native growth.

Reserve maintenance

Council is working in collaboration with other organisations to upgrade various parts of the reserve. Department of Conservation have installed geothermal fences and Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency will be upgrading the Puarenga Bridge as part of the Eastern Corridor Stage 1 project along Te Ngae Road.

Pest animal control

Wildlands have been working to monitor and trap pest animals such as rats. To assist with this work Wildlands has been engaging school students as part of their environmental learning programmes.

Interpretation panels

Temporary interpretation panels have been installed along the Puarenga Track to provide information to visitors about the restoration work and the significance of Sanatorium Reserve. Planning for permanent interpretation panels is underway. Those panels will be created in collaboration with mana whenua and will make up part of a wider cultural overlay for the reserve

Public clean ups are a great way to get the community involved with this project, encourage a sense community ownership of public spaces and reduce instances of littering. If you would like to organise a community clean-up for Sanatorium Reserve get in touch and we can discuss what support Council can offer.

During Conservation Week in September 2018 Sudima Hotel organised a clean-up of the reserve. The event attracted more than 60 people and 360kgs of rubbish was collected in two hours. Volunteers included children from Rotorua Primary School, students from Toi Ohomai and staff from Chris Smith Glass. Throughout the restoration project Council will be looking to get the community involved and this may include more clean-up projects.

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