Nau mai, haere mai ki Te Puia. Please check-in 15 minutes prior to your scheduled tour departure time.
Kiwi Conservation Centre
Kiwi / Nature
Step into the world of Aotearoa’s iconic kiwi at Te Puia’s Kiwi Conservation Centre, an experience included with Te Rā, Te Rā + Haka, and Te Pō Combo bookings. Witness the magic of these birds as they forage in their purpose-built nocturnal enclosure, learn about their unique history, and explore the vital conservation efforts that safeguard their future.
Our state-of-the-art facility is designed with care and innovation, featuring:
Among the kiwi on display is Manawa, our newest addition to our kiwi whānau. Hatched in November 2024, Manawa is the first chick born in 15 years, from a breeding pair housed in an off-display enclosure within the Whakarewarewa Geothermal Valley.
As part of the North Island Brown Kiwi captive management program, coordinated by the Zoo Aquarium Association (ZAA), we’re proud to contribute to the preservation of this precious species.
Come and connect with one of Aotearoa’s most cherished taonga, and be inspired by the critical work happening here to protect the future of our national treasure.
Kiwi conservation at Te Puia has deep roots, dating back to the 1970s when the centre operated as a rehabilitation facility for injured wild kiwi. The original nocturnal house, built in 1976, brought joy to countless visitors over the decades.
In 2019 the state-of-the-art Kiwi Conservation Centre opened, offering an exceptional viewing and educational experience for manuhiri. Designed with care, the new enclosure ensures the best possible viewing opportunities for visitors to observe this remarkable nocturnal bird.
Te Puia proudly participates in the national captive management programme for the North Island Brown Kiwi, coordinated by the Zoo Aquarium Association (ZAA) and the Department of Conservation (DOC). Guided by the promises made to our tūpuna—our ancestors—we are deeply committed to preserving Aotearoa’s unique flora, fauna, language, and culture for future generations.
To ensure the wellbeing of our kiwi, cameras and filming are not permitted within the kiwi enclosure. We kindly ask that you silence or turn off your mobile phone before entering to maintain a calm and quiet environment for our precious birds.