Cape Sanctuary’s restoration story.
Growing from the ground up.
Set along the stunning coastline of Hawke’s Bay, Cape Sanctuary is a place where conservation is not just a goal, it’s a daily commitment.
Spanning 2,500 hectares, Cape Sanctuary is one of New Zealand’s largest privately owned and funded conservation projects, working to restore native biodiversity and create a safe haven for wildlife.
From predator control and species reintroduction to large-scale native planting, every part of the sanctuary plays a role in rebuilding a thriving ecosystem.
The nursery at the heart of restoration
At the centre of this work is Cape Sanctuary’s nursery, a place where thousands of native plants are grown each year, ready to be planted back into the landscape.
These seedlings are more than just plants. They are the next generation of forest, providing habitat, stabilising soil, supporting biodiversity, and helping to restore balance to the land.
Growing strong, resilient plants starts from the ground up — with the soil they are raised in.
Where compost fits in
Cape Sanctuary uses BioRich compost-based potting mix in their nursery to support healthy plant growth during these early stages.
Compost plays an important role in:
Improving soil structure
Supporting beneficial microbial life
Retaining moisture
Providing slow-release nutrients
All of which help give the sanctuaries young plants the best possible start before they are planted out. While compost is just one part of a much bigger system, it underpins the health and resilience of the plants being grown.
A small input, a lasting impact
The work happening at Cape Sanctuary is a powerful reminder that restoration happens layer by layer from soil, to seedlings, to fully established ecosystems.
By investing in healthy growing systems at the nursery stage, they are setting up long-term success for the landscape as a whole.
For us at BioRich, it’s a privilege to play a small role in that journey and stories like Cape Sanctuary highlight the vision that Biorich was founded upon.
Cape Sanctuary