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Te Whare Taiao o Manukura

In July, a new and visionary Environmental Education Centre opened at Pūkaha National Wildlife Centre.

Join the battle to save the wildlife of Aotearoa!

Did you know it costs $8 to feed a kiwi chick for a week?
Every donation helps.

Meet rare New Zealand wildlife

Join the battle to save the wildlife of Aotearoa!

Did you know it costs $8 to feed a kiwi chick for a week?
Every donation helps.

Learn about conservation in action

Join the battle to save the wildlife of Aotearoa!

Did you know it costs $8 to feed a kiwi chick for a week?
Every donation helps.

Join the daily talks

Become a forest guardian

Rongo Te Mauri

Opening Hours

 We are open every day of the year with the exception of Christmas Day

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

Pūkaha National Wildlife Centre is a not-for-profit charity managing an unfenced breeding sanctuary for native wildlife.

Our 942-hectare forest is home to wild birds.
Inside our aviaries we hatch kiwi, kākā and kākāriki for release across Aotearoa New Zealand.

To make a difference, we need your help.

We are located on the border of the beautiful Tararua and Wairarapa regions, on the north island of Aotearoa New Zealand. 

Campervans / EVs

Campervans 
There is space to park campervans and motorhomes during the day.

Over-night sites are available, with a guided tour included in the price.

Bookings essential.


Electric Vehicles (EVs)
We have two Type-2 EV trickle charging stations available. There is no cost to use our EV chargers however customers will be required to provide their own type-2 charging cable.

How to get here

Entrance sign at Pukaha National Wildlife Centre
View of the outside of the Visitor Centre at Pukaha National Wildlife Centre

We’re on State Highway 2 (SH2) in the middle of the lower part of the North Island of Aotearoa New Zealand.

Map showing location of Pukaha National Wildlife Centre

We’re 30kms north of Masterton, Wairarapa and 10km south of Eketahuna, Tararua.

It’s about 2 hours to drive north-east from Wellington, a little longer heading south-west from Napier, or an hour south from Palmerston North.

One of our rangers recently visited a spot along the Tongariro river where some of our whio we have captive bred over the years have been released. Nothing beats seeing these birds flourishing in the wild thanks to the amazing whio community looking after them and their habitat. Amazing work! 

📷: @tara.swanphoto
Rā Whānau kia koe! Birthday wishes going out to a member of our @pukahanz whānau, happiest birthday Rhys, from all the team! 🎂 🥳
MB117 has reached 300g! This little cutie is ticking all the milestones with ease and it won't be long until they move into the Nocturnal House.
We recently announced the exciting arrival of our yet-to-be-named kiwi chick. Our team are lovingly monitoring its growth and can confirm that they are progressing beautifully, almost up to 300g! We won’t know if it’s a boy or girl until a DNA test is taken. Be sure to follow us on Facebook or Instagram for the update on sex. The little one has started exploring the brooder at night, which means soon we can introduce logs and other natural items it can forage. In roughly 3 weeks, the wee-one is set to make a move to the nocturnal house. We are soaking up all the newborn goodness until then 🤍
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Rangitāne o Wairarapa Pukaha National Wildlife Centre
Department of Conservation and Pukaha National Wildlife Centre
Qualmark Gold Pukaha National Wildlife Centre
100% pure New Zealand Pukaha National Wildlife Centre