This is a small bird sanctuary run by volunteers, with free admission (you can leave a donation). It’s small but is an opportunity to see rescued birds, of species that you would be unlikely to see in the wild. They have good sized enclosures, and look happy and well cared for.

We stopped at this small bird reserve so that we could see the takahe, a bird which was, at one time, thought to be extinct. There are other birds to be seen within the sanctuary which has free admission. An enjoyable visit.

Very much worth a visit to the support the volunteers and to see and support native birds that are otherwise very difficult to see in the wild. I was very disappointed to see an open-air enclosure with feral domestic mallards in it. There was a lone scaup duckling in this enclosure without any adult scaups, so I do not understand why all of the mallards aren't removed. I can only assume this scaup was killed by the aggressive male mallards in the following days or weeks. It also was very discouraging to see the guide feeding wild shelducks and introduced mallards. Encouraging people to feed water birds is not the best practice in regards to wildlife conservation and education, especially in regards to species that can hybridise. Feeding attracts Grey Ducks into Mallard feeding areas, significantly increasing the rate the two species hybridise. After learning about the great work being done by the DOC to control and eradicate introduced species in NZ, I don't understand why introduced mallards seemingly get a free pass.