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“What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make.”
― Jane Goodall
Join a Blooming Movement
Connect your sanctuary to a growing network of nationwide spray-free spaces. See it on the Flùr Star Map.
Earn Your Star
Celebrate your sanctuary and inspire others to create safe spaces for pollinators.
Our goal is to grow 10,000 spray-free Flùr Star Sanctuaries across Aotearoa NZ within 10 years.
Every sanctuary -whether a few pots, a family garden, a school, a business, or a larger restoration site - begins with a simple commitment:
- Be, or be going spray-free
- Provide food through plants, water, shelter and habitat for pollinators.
- Become part of a nationwide network supporting nature.
Founding 100 Sanctuaries
The first 100 sanctuaries will receive:
- A Star Sanctuary Certificate
- Printable resources
- Special Founding Sanctuary recognition on the Flùr Star Map (see our Interactive Map)
Good to Know:
- Spray-free means: A Flùr Star Sanctuary is cared for without synthetic herbicides, insecticides, or fungicides, using practical, nature-friendly approaches such as hand-weeding, mulching, and prevention wherever possible.
- Map locations are approximate and never display actual addresses unless requested.
- Each sanctuary makes a commitment to remain spray-free and support pollinators. As their sanctuary evolves, there are opportunities to update their rating with photo verification.
- Flùr Star Sanctuaries is a FREE, fun voluntary community movement. We will never ask for payment to join or be recognised.
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Number of Sanctuaries
10
Flùr Star Sanctuaries – 5-Star Rating Guide
⭐ 1 Star –
Pocket Sanctuary
A small spray-free space for pollinators.
Perfect for balconies, pots, planter boxes, classrooms, and small gardens.
To qualify:
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No insecticide, fungicide or herbicide use
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At least 3 pollinator-friendly plants
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A bowl of water with pebbles for pollinators.
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Commitment to care for the space
Think: A few pots of pollinator friendly plants and a promise not to spray.
⭐⭐ 2 Stars –
Garden Sanctuary
A pollinator garden that provides food and shelter.
Perfect for suburban home gardens, schools, community spaces, cafés, and businesses.
To qualify:
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Everything in 1 Star
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A variety of flowering plants - we recommend 10 or more
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Flowers available for pollinators through multiple seasons
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Good soil care (mulch, compost, or natural soil improvement)
Think: A thriving pollinator-friendly garden.
⭐⭐⭐ 3 Stars – Blooming Sanctuary
A sanctuary providing diverse habitat for pollinators throughout the year.
Perfect for larger gardens, schools, businesses, reserves, and community groups.
To qualify:
-
Everything in 2 Stars
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Nesting, shelter like leaf litter and logs
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At least 20 pollinator friendly plants, flowering across multiple seasons
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Shares pollinator friendly knowledge, stories, signage, social media, newsletters or community activities.
Think: A place that's feeding pollinators and growing awareness.
⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4 Stars – Pollinator Highway Sanctuary
A significant sanctuary helping connect habitat across the landscape.
Perfect for farms, schools, eco-businesses, community projects, lifestyle blocks, and public spaces.
To qualify:
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Everything in 3 Stars
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Provides an extensive and well-established pollinator habitat
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Native planting and biodiversity goals
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Long-term commitment to habitat improvement
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May help connect pollinators with neighbouring green spaces
Think: A stopping place on New Zealand's pollinator highway.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5 Stars – Signature Sanctuary – Paradise
Leading the way for pollinator conservation.
Perfect for trusts, charities, conservation groups, large landowners, botanical gardens, and flagship projects.
To qualify:
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Everything in 4 Stars
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Has created or restored a significant area for pollinators and wildlife
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Nature is flourishing and habitat has improved over time
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Community engagement or education
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Inspires or helps others create sanctuaries
Think: A beacon for nature and people.
Let’s Work Together
Join us and Pledge to care for our pollinators. It's a completely free, voluntary movement to grow spray-free spaces
Why the Map?
The Flùr Star Sanctuary Map helps us see the growing network of people creating spray-free spaces for pollinators and biodiversity across NZ.
By mapping sanctuaries, we can:
- See our collective impact and how small actions add up over time.
- Celebrate sanctuary members who are making room for nature in their gardens, schools, businesses, and communities.
- Inspire others to join in, showing that every sanctuary, no matter its size, can make a difference.
Together, the map provides a snapshot of a community working towards a more pollinator-friendly future.
More Info Below
Why does this matter?
Pollinators are in Trouble!
They're under pressure from habitat loss and chemical sprays, yet they play a vital role in our food system.
In fact, pollinators help fertilise over 75% of the world's flowering plants and around 35% of global food crops. We need them!
Small creatures.
Big responsibility.
What Is A Pollinator Sanctuary?
Think of a pollinator sanctuary as a tiny nature city.
A safe, spray-free place where pollinators can:
🌼 Find food
💧 Stop for a drink
🌿 Shelter from the elements
🐝 Raise the next generation
The good news?
You don't need hectares of land.
A few flowering herbs on a balcony.
A corner of a backyard.
Some raised garden beds.
A school garden.
All of these can become sanctuaries.
Add a bowl of water with pebbles (so nobody drowns, obviously), a few logs or branches for shelter, and you've already started creating a haven for pollinators.
The Flùr Dream
OUR BLOOMING BIG GOAL
We already care for a medium-sized spray-free sanctuary at our home here in Northland.
But our Blooming Big Goal is to one day create a much larger sanctuary. Picture wildflower meadows, native plantings, walking paths, educational spaces, and perhaps even a botanical café with excellent coffee and very good cake!
But while dreaming about one future sanctuary, we realised something.
Why stop at one?
What if thousands of people created sanctuaries of their own?
What if, together, we could create pollinator pathways stretching across towns, cities and rural landscapes?
That question became Flùr Star Sanctuaries.
WHY THE STARS?
The inspiration came from an unexpected place.
Back in 1900,in France, the Michelin brothers created a star rated restaurant guide to encourage people to get out, explore and travel.
Over time, Michelin Stars became one of the world's most recognised symbols of excellence.
We thought: What if there was a star system for pollinator sanctuaries?
Not for luxury.
Not for fine dining.
But for stewardship.
For the people creating safe, spray-free places where nature can thrive.
Whether your sanctuary is a tiny balcony garden or a sprawling meadow, every Flùr Star Sanctuary helps build a more connected future for pollinators.
Why Join Flùr Star Sanctuaries?
Sometimes it feels like one person can't make much difference.
But every flowering garden, every native planting and every spray-free space contributes to something larger.
By joining the Flùr Star Sanctuary network, you're helping:
- Support pollinators
- Increase biodiversity
- Create pollinator pathways
- Reconnect people with nature
- Build a healthier future for future generations
Flùr Sanctuary Benefits:
Whether you're a school, a business, or a backyard gardener, your contribution matters.
Here’s what you’ll receive:
Recognition through the Flùr Star Guide
You tell us what star you think your sanctuary is and why.
Inclusion in the Flùr Sanctuary Star Guide
Your sanctuary will be featured on our national map of spray-free sanctuaries (no exact addresses—just a general location like “Whangārei Central” or “Nelson Hills”).
Seasonal Newsletters
Enjoy beautifully written updates with gardening tips, pollinator facts, and inspiration from other sanctuary keepers across Aotearoa.
Community Connection
Meet like-minded gardeners, educators, and businesses who care about bees, biodiversity, and beautiful gardens through our dedicated online forum.
Printable Goodies
Receive printable goodies, certificate, and other resources to celebrate your sanctuary and share its story.
Annual Prize Draw
Every verified sanctuary goes into our yearly draw to win a pollinator-friendly prize—think bee houses, native seeds and other fun gifts.
How to Get Verified:
We keep it simple, but meaningful. To be listed in the Flùr Star Guide and receive your certification, here’s what we ask:
- Fill out the Form
- Sign the Flùr Pledge – updated every 2 years
-Look out for your Welcome Email and Certificate
*A Friendly Call or Visit (for 4 & 5 Stars)
For larger sanctuaries, we may arrange a friendly video call or in-person visit to celebrate your efforts and confirm your star level.
Flùr Star Sanctuaries is all about helping pollinators and having fun along the way. Participation is completely free, and we'll never ask you for payment to join. If someone does contact you seeking money on our behalf, please get in touch, as it could be a scam.
