Where to see Kiwis in New Zealand: 20+ Places & Map

where to see kiwis in new zealand

Wondering where to see kiwis in New Zealand? Let’s clarify- I’m talking about the bird- not the people!

When I visited my home country of New Zealand with the Haggis, he really wanted to see a kiwi bird. Because we were travelling all over the country, I decided I’d plot out all of the places on a map you can see kiwi throughout New Zealand.

This was a super handy resource for us, so I’ve decided to share this with you so you can find the closest kiwi sanctuary on your travels in New Zealand. You’ll find the map at the bottom of this article.

I’ve also included the 10 best kiwi sanctuaries, places you can see kiwi in the wild, where you can book online, and some fun facts about kiwis so you’re completely prepared when you visit!

Coming to New Zealand? Be sure to read my ultimate guide for how to plan a trip to New Zealand!

Where to see Kiwis in New Zealand

10 best kiwi bird sanctuaries in New Zealand

There are over 20 kiwi bird sanctuaries located throughout New Zealand- here are some of the best places to see kiwis in New Zealand.

Mục Lục

1. Kiwi Birdlife Conservation Park, Queenstown

Kiwi Birdlife Conversation Park is a popular place to catch a glimpse of kiwi in Queenstown. They have a kiwi breeding programme, and release kiwi into the wild when they’re mature. Here you have the opportunity to see conservation shows, visit their nocturnal houses (so you can see kiwi during the day) and even feed them! It’s open 364 days of the year [closed Christmas Day].

>> Buy your tickets online here

2. Pūkaha National Wildlife Centre, Wairarapa

Pūkaha National Wildlife Centre is one of the best sanctuaries to see kiwi in New Zealand. We visited this wildlife centre on our most recent trip to New Zealand and highly recommend it!

Pūkaha is an unfenced sanctuary for native wildlife, spanning 942-hectares of forest. They have a kiwi breeding programme, and when the kiwi are old enough they release them back into the wild.

You have the opportunity to see brown kiwi here. Pūkaha was once home to a rare white kiwi, but sadly she passed away in 2020. As well as kiwi, you can also see native bird to New Zealand including wild kōkako [blue wattled crow] and kākā [bush parrot], kākāriki [parakeet], kererū [native pigeon] and many more.

>> Book tours via their website

3. Orana Wildlife Park, Christchurch

Orana Wildlife Park has an array of wild animals, from gorillas to giraffes, and lions to rhino. The park also has a brown kiwi breeding programme. You can see kiwi, and many other birds native to New Zealand [including the cheeky Kea!] at this park.

>> Grab your tickets here

>> If you’d like to add more outdoor adventure to your experience, this Kayak and walking tour to Okarito Kiwi Sanctuary in Franz Joseph will do just that! Kayak across Lake Mapourika’s pristine glassy waters while taking in the stunning mountain and glacier backdrop, and then take a guided tour through Okarito Kiwi Sanctuary!

4. Zealandia, Wellington

Zealandia is an eco-sanctuary and home to some of New Zealand’s most rare and extraordinary wildlife, including the Little Spotted Kiwi, New Zealand’s smallest kiwi! The best tour to see the kiwi here is the Zealandia by night tour, when the kiwi are most active. They also have a day tour available. Zealandia is known for its world-leading conservation efforts, so it is a fantastic sanctuary to visit and support.

>> Grab your tickets for the Zealandia by Night Tour here

>> Grab your tickets for the Zealandia by Day Tour here

5. The National Kiwi Centre, Hokitika

At The National Kiwi Centre you can see the North Island brown kiwi. You can also feed the kiwi and the longfin eels here.

Read more: Things to do in Hokitika [by a local]

6. West Coast Wildlife Centre, Franz Joseph

The West Coast Wildlife Centre is home to two of New Zealand’s rarest kiwi: the Rowi and Haast Tokoeka. There is a self-guided indoor tour, and you can also purchase a backstage pass which takes you into the hatchery where you can see baby chicks! If you book online you can save $2 per ticket.

>> Want to see the Franz Joseph Glacier too? This guided tour, departing from Greymouth, first takes you to see the Franz Joseph Glacier, followed by a guided tour of the Franz Joseph Wildlife Centre to see kiwi!

7. Otorohanga Kiwi House and Native Bird Park, Otorohanga

The kiwi house at Otorohanga is set up in a dark environment so you can see kiwi during the day. Here you can see four Brown Kiwi. They also have the largest free-flight dome aviary in New Zealand where you can see other native birds.

>> If you plan on visiting the Waitamo Glow Worm Caves too, this tour [departing from Auckland] will take you to both the Waitamo Caves and the Otorohanga Kiwi House!

Read more: A guide to solo travel in New Zealand

8. Rainbow Springs Nature Park, Rotorua

Rainbow Springs Nature Park has the largest kiwi hatchery in the world. Since 1995, they have hatched over 2,000 brown kiwi eggs! You can visit the hatchery on their National Kiwi Hatchery Tour. Funds from this tour go into kiwi conservation efforts.

9. Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari, near Cambridge

Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari is an eco-sanctuary and home to untouched native New Zealand forest. Surrounded by one of the world’s longest pest-proof fences, it offers a sanctuary for many of New Zealand’s endangered species. Join conservationists on the Kiwi Release Experience tour and see kiwi being released into the wild. You can also buy day passes, guided tours and evening tours where you can see a North Island Brown Kiwi!

Read more: How to spend a day in Auckland

10. Willowbank Wildlife Reserve, Christchurch

Willowbank Wildlife Reserve incubates eggs for four out of five species of kiwi: Rowi, tokoeka, Great Spotted Kiwi and the North Island Brown Kiwi. They have a nocturnal house for kiwi, and guarantee you will see a kiwi when you visit! It’s a fantastic place to take the kids to see all sorts of New Zealand native species, farmyard animals and zoo/exotic species.

Where to see Kiwis in the wild

Kiwi are a protected species in New Zealand and there are only 68,000 kiwi left in New Zealand. Each year, 2% of unmanaged kiwi are lost- that’s 20 kiwi per week!

While it is possible to see a kiwi in the wild- don’t go expecting to bump into one while out hiking- kiwi are nocturnal, meaning they sleep during the day and are active at night.

I recommend booking a tour where local experts take you to a kiwi burrow at night. I suggest you book one of the following tours:

Map: Where to see Kiwis in New Zealand

>> Be sure to bookmark this article for future reference!