The main part of the 17,000-hectare sanctuary is centred on Moehau, the 700 metre high mountain at the tip of Coromandel Peninsula, and covers 12,000 hectares of public conservation land.

The remaining 5000 hectares is on private land on Kuaotunu Peninsula, north of Whitianga. This area is managed by Project Kiwi, a community programme which enjoys the support of local people, landowners and landcare groups. Ngati Hei have a member on the management committee and are strongly in support of the sanctuary concept. They have also hosted iwi from other areas wishing to create similar projects within their rohe (tribal area).

A total of 2200 traps have been set throughout the sanctuary for controlling stoats, the kiwi’s main threat. Monitoring confirmed a 63 per cent chick survival rate in the 2001/02 breeding season – a heartening result for all involved.