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Pūkaha National Wildlife Centre - Entry

4.6
66
Deals from $19.00 Save $5.00 Check dates nowsystem_update_alt
Learn about conservation work at Pūkaha National Wildlife Centre and possibly see New Zealand’s best native inhabitants with their chicks in the aviaries.

Learn about conservation work at Pūkaha National Wildlife Centre and possibly see New Zealand’s best native inhabitants with their chicks in the aviaries.

Highlights

  • Daily talks and feedings, free with every entrance ticket
  • Possibly see kiwi, chicks and eggs in the nocturnal house and nursery (during breeding season)
  • Explore the ngahere (forest)
  • Great day out for the whole family!
  • Onsite Kākā Café

Enjoy a day out at Pūkaha National Wildlife Centre, an unfenced sanctuary for native wildlife! Experience a 942-hectare forest home to wild kōkako and kākā, while the centre’s aviaries breed endangered birds for release across Aotearoa.

Learn about conservation work, possibly see birds with their chicks in the aviaries and you may also come across wild birds in the forest such as the tītipounamu (rifleman), kārearea (New Zealand falcon) and the kererū (wood pigeon). You might also glimpse advocacy birds like Kahurangi the kōkako!

Grab a spot of lunch and refuel at the Kākā Café which serves fresh kai (food) overlooking the takahē! Enjoy a range of freshly baked goods and favourites including wraps, paninis and toasties. Kākā Café includes a special children’s menu and caters to a variety of dietary requirements.

Pūkaha (at Mount Bruce) has been breeding wildlife since the early 1960s and is a partnership between Rangitāne o Wairarapa and the Department of Conservation. Pūkaha National Wildlife Centre are a non-profit and all proceeds go back into our conservation projects.

Explore the native wildlife at Pūkaha National Wildlife Centre, perfect for the whole family!


Join in on the following daily talks, free with every entrance ticket:

12:00pm: Kiwi

1:30pm: Longfin Eel

3:00pm: Kākā

Please Note: Last entry is at 5:00pm (summer) and 3:30pm (winter).

Access to the loop lookout track closes at 4:00pm (summer) and 2:30pm (winter).

Looking for more excitement? Check out the private tours Pūkaha National Wildlife Centre has to offer:

1 Hour Guided Tour

2 Hours Night Tour

Per Adult $24.00 (Ages 15+)
Per Child $9.00 (5 - 14 yrs)
Per Senior / Student $20.50
Family Pass $65.00 (2 adults and up to 4 children)
Infant $0.00 (Age 4 and under (must be accompanied by an adult))

What's included

  • Entry to Pūkaha National Wildlife Centre

Location

  • 85379 State Highway 2, Masterton
  • (2 hours drive from Wellington or Napier)

Child Friendly

  • This experience welcomes families with children.

Notes

  • Summer Hours

    9:00am- 6:00pm

    During daylight savings

    Last Sunday in September first Sunday in April


    Winter Hours

    9:00am- 5:00pm

    First Sunday in April last Sunday in September

    Cafe closes at 5 pm in Summer and 4 pm in Winter

Available Bookings from 10 Nov to 23 Nov 2024

All prices are shown in NZD ($)

Change Dates
Sun 10 Nov
Mon 11 Nov
Tue 12 Nov
Wed 13 Nov
Thu 14 Nov
Fri 15 Nov
Sat 16 Nov
Sun 17 Nov
Mon 18 Nov
Tue 19 Nov
Wed 20 Nov
Thu 21 Nov
Fri 22 Nov
Sat 23 Nov

Bookings close in 3 hours...

  • Per Adult$24.00
  • Per Child$9.00
  • Per Senior / Student$20.50
  • Family Pass$65.00
  • Infant Free of Charge

  • Per Adult$19.00
  • Per Child$7.10
  • Per Senior / Student$16.30
  • Family Pass$51.90
  • Infant Free of Charge

  • Per Adult$19.00
  • Per Child$7.10
  • Per Senior / Student$16.30
  • Family Pass$51.90
  • Infant Free of Charge

  • Per Adult$19.00
  • Per Child$7.10
  • Per Senior / Student$16.30
  • Family Pass$51.90
  • Infant Free of Charge

  • Per Adult$19.00
  • Per Child$7.10
  • Per Senior / Student$16.30
  • Family Pass$51.90
  • Infant Free of Charge

  • Per Adult$24.00
  • Per Child$9.00
  • Per Senior / Student$20.50
  • Family Pass$65.00
  • Infant Free of Charge

  • Per Adult$24.00
  • Per Child$9.00
  • Per Senior / Student$20.50
  • Family Pass$65.00
  • Infant Free of Charge

  • Per Adult$24.00
  • Per Child$9.00
  • Per Senior / Student$20.50
  • Family Pass$65.00
  • Infant Free of Charge

  • Per Adult$19.00
  • Per Child$7.10
  • Per Senior / Student$16.30
  • Family Pass$51.90
  • Infant Free of Charge

  • Per Adult$19.00
  • Per Child$7.10
  • Per Senior / Student$16.30
  • Family Pass$51.90
  • Infant Free of Charge

  • Per Adult$19.00
  • Per Child$7.10
  • Per Senior / Student$16.30
  • Family Pass$51.90
  • Infant Free of Charge

  • Per Adult$19.00
  • Per Child$7.10
  • Per Senior / Student$16.30
  • Family Pass$51.90
  • Infant Free of Charge

  • Per Adult$24.00
  • Per Child$9.00
  • Per Senior / Student$20.50
  • Family Pass$65.00
  • Infant Free of Charge

  • Per Adult$24.00
  • Per Child$9.00
  • Per Senior / Student$20.50
  • Family Pass$65.00
  • Infant Free of Charge

Authenticated Reviews & PhotosAll of our reviews are from people who have booked and paid for this activity thru Bookme

Authenticated Reviews & PhotosAll of our reviews are from people who have booked and paid for this activity thru Bookme

4.6

66 reviews

Showing all 66 authenticated Bookme reviews

Stephanie from New Zealand wrote on 06 June 2021

Very nice place

We were short on time and didn't take the long walks but would have liked to. We got there when it opened and felt like we had it all to ourselves. Hard time seeing most of the animals, especially ones in the aviaries so that was a bit disappointing. But the staff was very nice and helpful. We weren't able to stay for feedings either, would like to have seen that.

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From Pūkaha National Wildlife Centre - Entry

Kia ora Stephanie, Thanks so much for your review! We're sorry you weren't able to stay for a longer visit and experience the daily talks or longer walks. It is so special having the whole Reserve to yourself. Hope to see you again soon!

whiperz from New Zealand wrote on 20 October 2024

Magical spot

Hidden jem that has plenty to see and explore. Great information boards on the history and birds and great walk through out the facility. Highlight for my overseas visitor was seeing the kiwi egg and learning about the kiwi from the staff person. Cafe and shop on site

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angelar18 from New Zealand wrote on 30 September 2024

Worth visiting

Great experience. Some enclosures looked a bit tired but didn't impact too much.

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farmy from New Zealand wrote on 14 December 2023

Trip with 2 x 86yr olds

Wonderful day. Well maintained pathways which was important for us. Such friendly and helpful staff

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caroled2 from New Zealand wrote on 11 October 2023

Terrific Guides!

Very interesting and informative visit - we learnt a lot about kiwi, tuna, kakapo and kaka!

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