Horowhenua College Native Butterfly and Moth Project

11/12/2025

Our sanctuary stays spray-free. After we remove weeds, we lay them back down to return nutrients to the soil and support a healthier ecosystem. Simple, sustainable and kinder to every species that calls this place home

10/12/2025

Check out some recent activity of monarchs on buddleia and lupin in the sanctuary

09/12/2025

Massive appreciation to Jono, Cam and Isaiah for installing new garden borders and the shade structure. And a big thank-you to Forest & Bird for generously funding the shade structure protecting the outside ongaonga area. Your work is making the sanctuary safer and stronger.

08/12/2025

A huge thank-you to Forest & Bird Horowhenua for the beautiful kōwhai and swan plants, and to Mrs Congdon and her GPPA class for growing our swan plants all the way from seed. Your support is helping create a thriving, butterfly-friendly space for our community.

Forest & Bird

01/12/2025

On Sunday, the 7th of December from 1–5pm, there will be a gardening and weeding day at the butterfly sanctuary. If you’re available to come along and help out, it would be very appreciated.

28/10/2025

A huge thank you to Daltons for their generous support to the project! We’re so grateful for their contribution to our work. Keep an eye out for our exciting Forest & Bird Youth x Horowhenua College event coming next year!

Daltons Garden & Landscape Supplies Moths and Butterflies of NZ Trust

24/09/2025

29/08/2025

A year in review of the butterfly sanctuary. So far we have released 153 Admirals and 267 Monarchs and counting!

05/08/2025

Silver Y Moths pollinating native plants in the sanctuary. Moths are often overlooked, but research shows they can be more effective than bees at night, making them vital to healthy ecosystems.

05/08/2025

A milestone moment! This is the first butterfly tagged by the Native Butterfly & Moth Project using MBNZT tags, a big step for tracking and protecting Aotearoa’s precious native species

19/03/2025

Butterfly Releasing with our school principal Mr Congdon 🦋

05/03/2025

During the holidays many of the Horowhenua College staff and their families were able to experience the release of monarch and admiral butterflies.

This was a fun experience to share with the staff and we hope to do this again.