15 Kilometres of sanctuary fence with hotwire and gate sensors, reporting voltage and status 24/7 via LoRaWAN
"We can now see the status of every fence section in near real time, meaning we respond faster and make better decisions before sending rangers into the field.” - Sanctuary Ranger
Background
The Brook Waimārama Sanctuary is a 690-hectare predator-free sanctuary protected by approximately 15 kilometres of specialised perimeter fencing. Located in rugged terrain near Nelson, the sanctuary protects native species including kiwi, tuatara, kākāriki, and giant land snails from introduced predators.
With an estimated 25 million native birds killed each year in New Zealand by introduced pests and predators, maintaining fence integrity is critical. Any breach caused by fallen trees, slips, stormwater, rocks, or human error poses a direct threat to the sanctuary’s predator-free status.
To improve reliability and prepare for the national 3G shutdown, the sanctuary upgraded to a LoRaWAN-based IoT monitoring system, a long-range, low-power wireless communication protocol designed for reliable connectivity across remote environments. The project was delivered with support from Teltrac, Scopious IoT, and Go Wireless NZ.
Learn more about LoRaWAN in our IoT basics guide https://scopious.co.nz/iot-basics/lorawan
Challenge
The sanctuary previously relied on a legacy EDAC monitoring system operating over 3G connectivity. Coverage limitations across remote sections of the valley reduced reliability, while alerts only provided approximate fault locations. Rangers often had to investigate issues manually, sometimes in severe weather, without knowing whether the alarm was genuine.
The sanctuary’s geography also created deployment challenges. The 15-kilometre perimeter wraps through steep terrain and around sections of the valley with limited line-of-sight and inconsistent cellular coverage.
With New Zealand’s 3G network approaching end-of-life, the replacement system needed to provide:
Reliable long-range connectivity across the entire sanctuary
Near real-time monitoring of gates, hatches, and fence voltage
Low-power operation in remote areas without mains power
Faster and more accurate alerting
A scalable platform capable of supporting future sensors and monitoring applications
Solution - Technical Dive
Teltrac designed a LoRaWAN-based IoT architecture to provide long-range, low-power connectivity across the sanctuary perimeter.
Network setup
Three LoRaWAN gateways were strategically installed around the sanctuary to maximise coverage and redundancy.
The deployment included:
1x gateway at the main entry using PoE power and Ethernet backhaul
2x field gateways powered by 12V battery and solar infrastructure with 4G backhaul
Multi-gateway reception for improved resilience across difficult terrain
The sanctuary’s bowl-shaped geography made LoRaWAN ideal for long-range, low-power communications across remote field devices.
Sensors and monitoring
A mix of wireless and wired sensors were deployed throughout the perimeter infrastructure, including:
11x wireless reed switches monitoring remote gates and hatches
11x wired reed switches across key access points
7x Fencyboy fence voltage monitors across separate fence sections
Monitoring across pedestrian gates, vehicle gates, water gates, and stormwater entry points
Battery-powered devices transmit telemetry at regular intervals to any available gateway within range, improving redundancy and reliability. Most wireless devices are expected to achieve battery life of approximately 3–5 years.
Monitoring and Data Platform
The Scopious IoT platform provides centralised monitoring, alerting, and historical data visibility.
The platform enables:
Near real-time fence voltage monitoring
Gate and hatch status visibility
Historical event logging and trend analysis
Device health monitoring including signal and battery status
Customisable alerts and threshold-based notifications
Staff can now identify likely fault severity and location before dispatching rangers, reducing unnecessary callouts and improving response times.
The IoT Project Plan - Free Guide
Do it once, do it right.
Results
Since deployment, the sanctuary has achieved significant operational improvements.
Improved Reliability
The LoRaWAN network has delivered more consistent coverage across remote areas where cellular connectivity was previously unreliable.
Faster Fault Identification
Near real-time voltage visibility across individual fence sections allows staff to isolate issues quickly and identify false alarms without immediate physical inspection.
Reduced Operational Risk
Continuous monitoring helps ensure potential breaches are identified quickly, protecting the sanctuary’s predator-free status and native wildlife.
Lower Maintenance Overhead
Low-power wireless infrastructure and multi-year battery life have reduced servicing requirements across remote areas.
Future Expansion Capability
With the LoRaWAN backbone now established, the sanctuary can easily expand into additional applications including:
Weather monitoring
Water flow and level sensing
Environmental monitoring
Asset tracking and accelerometers
Temperature and humidity monitoring
Recommendations for others considering the product
Based on this deployment, several key insights may assist organisations evaluating similar solutions:
Design Around Terrain and Coverage
Environmental conditions and line-of-sight significantly influence network performance. Gateway placement and redundancy planning are critical for reliable operation.
Prioritise Long-Term Connectivity
Legacy cellular technologies can introduce future operational risk. LoRaWAN provides a scalable alternative for remote low-power deployments.
Focus on Actionable Data
Providing contextual information alongside alerts improves operational decision-making and reduces unnecessary field dispatches.
Build for Scalability
A modular IoT architecture allows organisations to add new sensors and applications over time without major infrastructure redesign.
Conclusion
Brook Waimārama Sanctuary's transition from a legacy 3G monitoring system to a LoRaWAN-based IoT solution has improved visibility across its 15-kilometre predator exclusion fence while reducing operational risk and manual investigation requirements. By combining long-range connectivity, near real-time monitoring, and actionable alerts, the sanctuary can respond faster to potential issues and maintain the integrity of one of New Zealand's most important predator-free environments. The project demonstrates how scalable IoT technology can support conservation organisations in protecting native wildlife while preparing for future monitoring needs.
What is IoT pest monitoring?
IoT pest monitoring uses connected sensors and wireless communications to continuously monitor pest management infrastructure such as fences, gates, traps, and environmental conditions. Data is transmitted automatically to a central platform, enabling faster response times and improved operational visibility.
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Solution Partners:
Scopious IoT
Provided the IoT platform for device management, near real-time monitoring, alerting, and data visualisation.
Go Wireless NZ
Supplied IoT hardware and technical guidance for deployment across the sanctuary environment.
Reliable hardware. Real support.
Teltrac Communications
Provided consultation, network design, installation, and deployment support.
Fencyboy (Switzerland)
Supplied LoRaWAN-enabled fence voltage monitoring devices used across the sanctuary perimeter.
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