The Salvation Army purchased it for £400 in 1908 from the Ruthe family to expand their alcohol and drug rehabilitation facility at nearby Pakatoa Island.

Auckland Zoo helped Rotoroa’s conservation team to identify species suitable for translocation to the island.

[citation needed] Rotoroa is one of ten smaller sanctuary sites working with the Department of Conservation on takahē recovery.

These small dabbling ducks were once found throughout New Zealand but are now considered to be the rarest waterfowl on the mainland with an estimated population of around 2,000-2,500.

[citation needed] Kauri seedlings were donated to the trust and have since been planted in the forest above Ladies Bay wetlands.