Karori is a suburb located at the western edge of the urban area of Wellington, New Zealand, 4 kilometres (2.5 miles) from the city centre [3] and is one of New Zealand's most populous suburbs, [3] with a population of 15,330 in June 2024. [2] The name Karori used to be Kaharore and is from the Māori language.

Zealandia Te Māra a Tāne, formerly known as the Karori Wildlife Sanctuary, [1] is a protected natural area in Wellington, New Zealand, the first urban completely fenced ecosanctuary, [2] where the biodiversity of 225 ha (just under a square mile) of forest is being restored.

In the suburb of Karori, just 2.5 kilometres from the Wellington central business district, you'll find a 252 hectare (one square mile) paradise of pest-free wilderness. Zealandia is a world-first conservation attraction, where a unique and natural area is being patiently restored.

During the day, walk amongst rare birds like hihi, kākāriki, and takahē. Spot prehistoric reptiles like the tuatara bathing in the sun. See how the sanctuary transforms after dark on a guided tour and search for glow worms or kiwi roaming free.

Karori offers both visitors and residents a wide variety of both indoor and outdoor activities and attractions such as Zealandia and the Makara Peak Bike Park. Zealandia is Karori’s stunning wildlife sanctuary located at the entrance to Karori.

Between 1854 and 1873, Karori Lunatic Asylum in Wellington, New Zealand held and cared for patients with mental disorders. They had been certified as lunatics, but were not considered a danger to the public. It was the country's first independent lunatic asylum, which was …

Zealandia Karori Wildlife Sanctuary: Just minutes from downtown Wellington, nestled among the hilly suburbs, lies a place unlike any other – ZEALANDIA: The Karori Sanctuary Experience. Home to some of the rarest and most extraordinary wildlife on the planet, ZEALANDIA is an award-winning eco-attraction in New Zealand that offers a true taste ...

Zealandia is an urban ecosanctuary fully enclosed in a predator proof fence just 3km from the centre of Wellington in the Karori suburb. This groundbreaking wildlife sanctuary is a community led not for profit project under the management of Karori Sanctuary Trust.

Situated in a basin, Karori (which means ‘the rope of bird snares’) was renowned for its birdlife. Europeans settled there in the 1840s. In 1854 it became the site of Wellington’s Lunatic Asylum. In 1891 the Karori Cemetery opened, replacing the Bolton Street Cemetery.

Just 4km from Wellington City centre, Karori is one of NZ’s largest suburbs. The name Karori means “the rope of bird snares” in Te Reo Maori and, originally, Maori people used the once forested area of Karori for hunting. Karori was, and still is, renowned for its birdlife.