National Kiwi Hatchery - Kiwi Encounter Guided Tour
Description
See conservation in action at the most successful kiwi hatchery in the world! The National Kiwi Hatchery is the national leader in kiwi husbandry, egg incubation systems, hatching techniques and kiwi chick rearing. During your guided tour of the National Kiwi Hatchery you’ll get to learn about New Zealand's renowned kiwi conservation program which has successfully hatched over 2,600 kiwi chicks. You’ll get to explore the interactive kiwi burrow, learn about egg incubation and hatching techniques. And see kiwi roam and forage in the Nocturnal House. An educational, thought-provoking and truly unique experience, you'll get to see how we're helping kiwi at the largest and most successful kiwi hatchery in the world. A non-for profit organisation, your ticket entry fee goes straight back to our kiwi hatching programme.
Tour Options
Itinerary
See conservation in action at one of the largest and most successful kiwi hatchery in the world! The National Kiwi Hatchery is the national leader in kiwi husbandry, egg incubation systems, hatching techniques and kiwi chick rearing. When you join one of our experiences, you'll get to see kiwi eggs being incubated, the hatching process and newly hatched kiwi chicks. Hatching season is September and March and the highest chance for you to see kiwi eggs and chicks. Outside of these months you will have chance to observe our resident adult kiwi foraging in our Nocturnal House. Your ticket entry goes straight back to our kiwi hatching program. The National Kiwi Hatchery is located at the Agrodome, Rotorua.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Wheelchair accessible
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Children must be minimum 5 years old to participate
- Check-in 15 minutes prior to the tour departure time
- Hatching season is September to March, which is the best chance to see Kiwi chicks or eggs. Outside of these dates, you may not see a Kiwi chick or egg, but still see live Kiwi in the nocturnal house
- The facility is located onsite at the Agrodome Farm, Rotorua
- Children under 5 years of age are unable to take part in this experience
Reviews(327)
Incredibly educational, thorough and above all; loads of fun! We were so lucky to see all three kiwi’s going about in their habitat, and Theresa was an absolutely lovely guide.
Learnt so much about the kiwis and the facility that they have for them is incredible. Our host was amazing!
The National Kiwi Hatchery was a very cool place to visit. The scientists and guides were incredibly knowledgeable, and I was amazed by the many roles they take on each day. From driving the buses and leading engaging tours to conducting all the critical kiwi conservation research and even running the gift shop, their dedication was evident everywhere. Their passion for protecting New Zealand’s iconic kiwi and sharing that work with visitors made the experience both informative and inspiring. Highly recommended for anyone wanting a deeper appreciation of kiwi conservation.
Such a wonderful tour today, thank you so much to our guide who was so knowledgeable and helpful in pointing out the kiwi in their enclosure. I learned so much from the guide herself and the information boards around the exhibit. My recommendation is to book directly with the hatchery rather than through TripAdvisor so that way your money goes directly towards the conservation efforts!!!
We toured outside of breeding season so weren't sure how much we'd get to see. Super interesting! 3 kiwi in the nocturnal house and a guide who made every effort to ensure we were in the house when the kiwi were active. Very interesting hearing all about kiwi couple's idiosyncracies and about the organisations conservation efforts. Well worth the $.
Nico was awesome 👌 I would have lived to see more kiwi, but understand we were out of the season. Our guide was amazing really patient as we had family's on the trip with rambunctious kids.
What an amazing experience. Was impressive to seeing the hatchery and all the work they do in protecting and caring for kiwis. The tour host was informative and talked through all the stages and life cycle of bird. 100% recommend if you have time to go visit.
It was a very informative tour and they do great work. We got to see three resident Kiwi and our guide was great.
Informative, comprehensive and amazing! The spokesperson that took our tour, l believe, touched upon every aspect of a Kiwis life. She answered all questions with solid knowledge.
I learn a lot for things about kiwi and I was so nice to see the rare animal for the first time. I definitely recommend this experience as all money go the hatchery
