Flùr Star Sanctuaries
Creating Pollinator Pathways Across Aotearoa
Here at Flùr, we believe small things can make a big difference, especially when it comes to bees and pollinators.
A Flùr Star Sanctuary is a spray-free space that helps bees, butterflies, hoverflies and other pollinators thrive. Whether it's a balcony garden, a school plot, a few raised beds, or a wild meadow, every space helps create a healthier world for pollinators and people too.
Together, these sanctuaries form pollinator pathways: a growing network of safe, spray-free nature cities where pollinators can rest, refuel, and continue their important work.
Join the Flùr Star Sanctuary movement and help us create pollinator pathways across New Zealand, one garden at a time.
Why does this matter?
Pollinators are in trouble.
Thanks to habitat loss, chemical sprays and pesticides (yes, we're looking at you, Glyphosate), many of these vital wee creatures are disappearing fast.
And that's a problem because without pollinators, our food system starts to wobble.
Let's take your breakfast.
That avocado on toast didn't simply pop out of a tree.
It needed a bee, fly, stingless bee, or another hardworking pollinator to help transfer pollen between flowers. Voilà... baby avocados.
(And now you know why they call it "the birds and the bees". They really should have given the bees more credit.) [ucanr.edu]
Pollinators like bees, butterflies and hoverflies are responsible for fertilising over 75% of the world's flowering plants and around 35% of global food crops.
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:
Joining the Flùr Star Sanctuaries means becoming part of a growing movement to protect pollinators and celebrate nature—one garden at a time. Whether you're a school, a business, or a backyard gardener, your sanctuary matters.
Here’s what you’ll receive:
Recognition through the Flùr Star Guide
Your sanctuary will be awarded 1 to 5 stars based on its size and care. From pocket parks to wild meadows, every space counts.
Seasonal Newsletters
Enjoy beautifully written updates with gardening tips, pollinator facts, Flùr tales, and inspiration from other sanctuary keepers across Aotearoa.
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”).
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 signage, certificates, and storytelling cards to celebrate your sanctuary and share its story with visitors.
Annual Prize Draw
Every verified sanctuary goes into our yearly draw to win a pollinator-friendly prize—think bee houses, native seeds and a Flùr gift set.
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:
- Sign the Flùr Pledge – updated every 2 years
A promise to keep your sanctuary spray-free and pollinator-friendly.
- Send Photos or Videos
Show us your space, your water source (like a bowl with pebbles), and any housing (logs, branches, bee hotels).
- List Your Plants
Tell us what pollinator-friendly plants you’ve got - up to 20 is fine if you have lots!
- Call, Video 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.
- Receive Your E-Certificate and Be Featured on our National Star Guide
Once verified, you’ll get a digital certificate, be added to our newsletter list, and officially become part of the Flùr Sanctuary movement.
Flùr Star Sanctuaries – 5-Star Rating Guide
Each star level celebrates your commitment to creating a spray-free haven for pollinators. Whether you're working with a balcony or a few hectares, every sanctuary helps build pollinator pathways across Aotearoa, New Zealand.
⭐ 1 Star –
Pocket Sanctuary
Who it’s for:
Individuals with small gardens or balconies
Businesses with planter boxes or grass strips
Classrooms with window boxes or small outdoor plots
Minimum Criteria:
Spray-free practices
At least 5 pollinator-friendly plants (e.g. lavender, rosemary, nz flax - harakeke & hebe)
A safe water source (e.g. shallow dish with pebbles)
Shelter (e.g. bee hotel, logs, hollow stems)
Seasonal care (e.g. replanting, pruning, watering)
Boundaries:
No minimum land size
No community engagement required
No signage required
⭐⭐ 2 Stars –
Garden Sanctuary
Who it’s for:
Schools with small gardens
Community plots
Businesses with larger outdoor areas
Individuals with medium-sized gardens
Minimum Criteria:
Meets all 1 Star criteria
Minimum of 6 pollinator-friendly plant species
Intentional layout (e.g. grouping by bloom time or habitat zones)
Composting or soil health practice (e.g. worm farm, leaf mulch)
Educational or storytelling element (e.g. signage, Flùr Tale card, student-made posters)
Boundaries:
No minimum land size
Must show diversity and design intention
Must include some form of education or storytelling - social media posts are fine.
⭐⭐⭐ 3 Stars – Boutique Sanctuary
Who it’s for:
Wellness retreats, cafés, or eco-conscious businesses
Schools with structured gardens
Individuals with larger or more curated gardens
Community groups with managed plots
Minimum Criteria:
Meets all 2 Star criteria
Minimum of 10 pollinator-friendly plant species
Bloom succession planning (spring, summer, autumn)
Defined habitat zones (e.g. sunny patch, nesting area, shaded zone)
Managed care plan (e.g. seasonal tasks, watering schedule)
Community or visitor engagement (e.g. open days, workshops, social media sharing)
Boundaries:
No minimum land size
Must show intentional design and seasonal planning
Must include community or visitor engagement
⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4 Stars – Wild & Managed Sanctuary
Who it’s for:
Individuals, schools and organisations with significant land
Community-led projects
Eco-businesses with rural properties
Councils with large green spaces
Minimum Criteria:
Meets all 3 Star criteria
Land size: minimum 4,047m² (1 acre)
Mix of wild and cultivated areas
Pollinator corridors or native bush integration
Long-term biodiversity planning (e.g. native planting schedule, restoration goals)
Educational signage and public access (if requested
Boundaries:
Must meet land size requirement
Must show wild/cultivated balance and long-term planning
Must be accessible to the public or community – even if by appointment
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5 Stars – Signature Sanctuary – Paradise
Who it’s for:
Flagship sites
Registered charities
Botanic gardens
Large-scale community or conservation initiatives
Minimum Criteria:
Meets all 4 Star criteria
Land size: minimum 5 acres
Includes wetlands, meadows, native bush, and structured gardens
Ecological restoration focus
Educational programs and outreach (e.g. school visits, guided tours)
Visitor centre or public facilities
Formal governance or charitable structure
Boundaries:
Must meet land size and governance requirements
Must offer public engagement and conservation leadership
“Public engagement may be fulfilled through physical access, digital storytelling, or arranged visits. Sanctuaries are encouraged to share their journey in ways that suit their space and community.”
Ready to Join the Buzz?
There’s no cost to join the Flùr Star Sanctuaries -just a bit of love for pollinators, a few plants, and maybe a bowl of water with pebbles (so no one drowns, obviously).
Whether you have a balcony garden, backyard, school plot, or larger sanctuary, every spray-free space helps create pollinator pathways across Aotearoa.
Join a growing community of sanctuary keepers and receive certificates, seasonal inspiration, and sanctuary goodies along the way.
Founding 100 Sanctuaries
The first 100 verified sanctuaries will receive:
- A Flùr Star Sanctuary Certificate
- A Flùr Gift Voucher
- Special Founding Sanctuary recognition on the Flùr Star Map
Every great movement starts with its first stars.
Will your sanctuary be one of them?
So go on, sign up below and let’s make our home bloom - one garden at a time.
Let’s Work Together
Sign up and Pledge below
