Henry and friends are set to get a flash new abode as plans for a new tuatara enclosure get under way.
The tuatara, one of Invercargill’s most beloved attractions, are living in a temporary enclosure away from the public while construction of the city’s new museum takes place.
Noise and vibrations from geotechnical work onsite as part of the museum redevelopment, dubbed Project 1225, has the potential to negatively impact the wellbeing of the tuatara.
Invercargill City Council mana whenua representative Evelyn Cook said the new enclosure would ensure the tuatara’s rich legacy in the rohe continued.
"Tuatara are a taonga and their presence in Waihōpai provides us with an opportunity to understand their importance in Aotearoa New Zealand as a remnant of a bygone age.
"It is a privilege to care for them and provide them with the best living area possible," she said.
Council programme director Lee Butcher said the council was excited to announce the location of the new 109m2 tuatara enclosure at the animal reserve at Queens Park.
It would be housed near the entrance to the playground car park.
The new location would connect the tuatara with other animals that call Queens Park home, he said.
"Housing the tuatara in a space where generations of Southlanders can continue their connection with them is really important to our community," he said. Christchurch-based firm Studio 4 had been chosen to design the new facility.
"I have absolute faith that Studio 4 and its consultants are the right team to design the perfect home for our tuatara, given the work they have already done for Christchurch’s precious gorillas at the Great Ape Centre in Orana Park. An enclosure of this calibre will be the first in the South Island and likely even Aotearoa."
Studio 4 directors Julian O’Sullivan and Matt Sloper said they were familiar with Invercargill and the South, having already assisted in the design and delivery of the award-winning Te Puka o Te Waka Rakiura Museum on Stewart Island.
"We are excited to be involved in this project of national significance and we are looking forward to creating a safe and secure home for the tuatara as well as a visitor experience the people of Invercargill and Southland can be proud of."
Manager parks performance Kate Gough said it was crucial to provide safe living spaces for animals and to follow animal husbandry guidelines. Part of the reason Studio 4 was chosen for the project was because of the firm’s experience in designing specialist enclosures to keep animals safe and protected, she said.
"The new location within the animal reserve will provide the best way to look after the tuatara, and will be as close to their natural habitat as possible," she said.
"We are really excited that Henry and his friends will be joining another part of Queens Park that families enjoy spending time in, and we can’t wait to welcome them to their new home."
The first concept designs for the facility are expected to be available in July.
