Pūkaha National Wildlife Centre
Pūkaha National Wildlife Centre
Pūkaha National Wildlife Centre
4.5
9:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Sunday
9:00 AM - 4:30 PM
About
Pūkaha National Wildlife Centre is NZ's most established captive breeding facility located just 20 minutes north of Masterton. Set in 942 hectares of ancient Podocarp forest, Pukaha is home to many endangered species including takahē, kōkako, kākāriki, hīhī (stitchbird), kāka and several kiwi including Manukura, the ōnly white kiwi in captivity. Our Kākā Cafe overlooks the takahē enclosure. Watch out for the cheeky kākā parrots who regularly visit the outdoor cafe area (please remember not to feed the birds). Visitors can join daily talks or choose from our suite of guided tours. We offer Night Tours (listen for wild kiwi and discover glow worms). Our Hīkoi o Pūkaha is a unique cultural tour where you can learn stories of the Tangata Whenua - includes kai (food). Bookings essential. [no pets]
Duration: 1-2 hours
Meets animal welfare guidelines
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- Lynne MSimon's Town, South Africa15 contributionsA dissapointing visitWas dissapointed. Drove out all the way from Wellington, but could not spot a lot of birds. Cages overgrown and therefore difficult. It such a beautiful place but we found to to be unkept. Restaurant facility dissapointing. All food sold out by 14h00. Couldn't offer anything. I feel it was badly planned. Holiday time and sold out by 14hoo?Kia ora Lynne, Thanks for your feedback on the beauty of our ngahere. A pity you couldn't get any kai during your visit. We strive to provide exceptional customer experiences to all visitors. Should you have any further feedback on how we can improve, please email info@pukaha.org.nz. Ngā mihiWritten 3 September 2023This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.Visited December 2022Travelled as a coupleWritten 29 December 2022
- Explorer7657491 contributionPoor stopover for coffeeWe were travelling south yesterday and called into the cafe at Pukaha National Wildlife Centre. We did not visit the Centre itself but had a cup of coffee and a scone. The scone was so dry it left our mouths feeling as if grit was in them and although we asked for a half-strength flat white, we were served a full-strength flat white which was only luke warm. I know it was busy, but a really unsatisfactory stop-over for the afternoon tea we were looking forward to sadly.Kia ora, we appreciate your response. We strive to make great coffee in our Kākā Cafē and realize that we can do better in some circumstances. We like to provide exceptional customer experiences to all visitors. Should you have any further feedback on how we can improve, please email info@pukaha.org.nz Ngā mihiWritten 3 September 2023This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.Visited January 2023Written 3 January 2023
- Sue MWellington, New Zealand141 contributionsBeen there done thatIt was wet and cold and maybe all the birds were tucked up. But I didn't see any, not even the Kiwi. I expected more from the free flight aviary - I was thinking of Zealandia and Bushy Park - but not a bird to be seen. I thought entry was costly and inflexible. I did see eels though, if that's your thing.Kia ora Sue, We appreciate your feedback. We strive to provide exceptional customer experiences to all visitors. Should you have any further feedback on how we can improve, please email info@pukaha.org.nz Ngā mihiWritten 3 September 2023This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.Visited July 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten 8 July 2023
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4.5
546 reviews
Excellent
331
Very good
161
Average
34
Poor
14
Terrible
6
201Lou55
Gabriola Island, Canada17 contributions
Nov 2023 • Family
We spent five hours here on a rainy day and learned so much about New Zealand wildlife. The naturalist who spoke about kiwis and eels was very passionate and knowledgeable. We engaged with some endangered birds and did a 4 km hike through lush native vegetation. We are so glad we went.
Written 24 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ian
Nottingham, UK7 contributions
Oct 2023 • Couples
Lovely location, halfway point between napier and wellington. Wonderful forest location with fascinating birds and a desire to correct the human destruction of the area.
Written 31 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tori
27 contributions
Oct 2023 • Couples
We popped in here on our way back to aukland, it was wonderful! Lovely place that does great work. Very passionate staff too, in particularly a lovely lady (sorry I didn’t get her name) who told us all about the Maori culture and the wonderful values they hold, some of which are similar to the birds she was feeding. Really lovely lady who made our visit :) thank you!
Written 31 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
D D
1 contribution
Oct 2023 • Family
Not our first visit to Pukaha and it won't be the last. We went on a cloudy, drizzly day, and it was the best!
All the staff were welcoming and friendly. A special shout-out to Evelyn at the front desk who made us truly feel at home.
Well worth the detour and the time!
All the staff were welcoming and friendly. A special shout-out to Evelyn at the front desk who made us truly feel at home.
Well worth the detour and the time!
Written 27 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Wander64477254216
1 contribution
Oct 2023 • Family
The staff were very friendly. The walk was easy and well maintained. Great way to spend the afternoon, walking through native bush and viewing the native birds.
Written 21 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tara S
2 contributions
Oct 2023 • Family
Fantastic place. Beautiful birds. We gre up visiting here so today took our daughter. Next visit will have to be the kiwi night experience
Written 3 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Louise
1 contribution
Aug 2023 • Couples
So glad we called in this place is awesome. The Lady on the front desk Everlyne was super friendly and knowledgeable.Got to see some beautiful birds and the Kaka feeding was cool.
Written 24 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kia ora Louise, glad you enjoyed your time with us .
Ngā mihi
Written 3 September 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Gwenna
Whanganui, New Zealand1 contribution
Aug 2023
We went on the hikoi. It was a brilliant day out. The guide was knowledgeable and passionate. The flora, fauna, and facilities were all excellent. I recommend the hikoi and look forward to trying the night walk next year.
Written 20 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kia ora Gwenna, we are stoked you enjoyed your hikoi.
Thanks for visiting us !
Ngā mihi nui
Written 3 September 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Albert P
Auckland Central, New Zealand3 contributions
Jul 2023 • Couples
Outstanding educational walking tour talks by local Māori on kiwi preservation. We’ll maintained trails and natural habitat.
Really good scones, baked on site.
Really good scones, baked on site.
Written 28 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thanks Albert, we will pass on your message about the scones!
Ngā mihi nui
Written 3 September 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Luke W.
1 contribution
Jul 2023
We planed to stay for one and half hour, but we finally stayed for more than three hours until the center was closed.
We booked a guided tour. It was the best decision we made that day. Evelyn, Nadia and Tracy are wonderful guides. Evelyn is patient, passion and professional. Nadia and Tracy are really nice to show us their job and eels. We learned so many stories and interesting knowledge from them.
We saw Kiwi, Kokako (Kahurangi), kaka, eel, etc. Kokako is our favourite!
We definitely want to go again.
We booked a guided tour. It was the best decision we made that day. Evelyn, Nadia and Tracy are wonderful guides. Evelyn is patient, passion and professional. Nadia and Tracy are really nice to show us their job and eels. We learned so many stories and interesting knowledge from them.
We saw Kiwi, Kokako (Kahurangi), kaka, eel, etc. Kokako is our favourite!
We definitely want to go again.
Written 21 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kia ora,
We are glad you were able to spend lots of time in our ngahere.
Thanks very much for your visit.
Nga mihi nui
Written 3 September 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
N & D Wells
6 contributions
How wheelchair friendly / accessible is the wildlife centre?
Emily
Masterton, New Zealand2 contributions
Hi- The tracks at Pukaha are pressed gravel and about 95% of the Wildlife center is wheel chair friendly. There is one small section of the aviary loop that has some stairs but you can access all of the aviaries without going that way.The "Te Arapiki o Tawhaki Lookout walk which takes you to our top ridge on a pretty good incline would be hard to do in a wheelchair. All the aviaries, the kiwi house and free flight aviary are on the bottom tracks and accessible. We also have a wheelchair and mobility scooter on site for visitors use.
Claire W
1 contribution
Is the white kiwi there at the moment? Were due in a couple of days i was dying to see her and read somewhere that she was away to let her future boyfriend settle in. Is this true? Are we not able to see the white beauty? *sniff*
Emily
Masterton, New Zealand2 contributions
Hi- I am sorry ,Manukura the rare white kiwi is away at Wildbase Hospital. She has been quite ill and we have been quite concerned about her. You are correct that it is allowing her potential new mate Frickleton to settle into the nocturnal aviary and make it his own space, but this has occurred as Manukura was diagnosed with a infection that started in her beak and then spread to her blood stream. We did get some very encouraging news about her recovery last week so we are hopeful she will be returning very soon. At this stage we are not sure when that might be. Frickelton is patiently awaiting her in the nocturnal aviary and is available to be seen. Looking forward to seeing you soon.
4acadia
Boulder, CO198 contributions
Another couple questions:
1. What's a fair amount of time to set aside for the Center?
2. Has anyone done the Behind the Scenes Tour? What did it include? Do you get to see the kiwi closer? Can you choose what you get to do or is it set?
Thanks so much!
Clare B
Lower Hutt, New Zealand12 contributions
I've been twice, once with a guide and once without. The guide was amazing and told the stories of the birds as we went past the various enclosures and really brought it all to life. She also helped us to find the birds in their enclosures, and told us more about the kiwi rescue programme. We booked in advance and had to get there on time for the start of our tour. The second time I didn't go with a guide because my visitor wasn't too bothered about birds, really, but it was a good stopping point on our journey. Then she fell in love with the place and we really enjoyed our walk around, but did not see so many of the enclosed birds or get the stories. She adored the white kiwi and we spent the rest of our holiday searching out souvenir kiwis! Allow a couple of hours at least.
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Claim your listingPŪKAHA NATIONAL WILDLIFE CENTRE: All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)
Frequently Asked Questions about Pūkaha National Wildlife Centre
- Pūkaha National Wildlife Centre is open:
- Sun - Sat 9:00 AM - 4:30 PM