Pūkaha National Wildlife Centre

12/06/2026

Say hello to the newest residents at Pūkaha, the Cook Strait giant wētā!

Also known as wētā punga, the god of all things ugly, but there’s plenty to love about these gentle giants. The females grow heavier than a sparrow, they’ve been around far longer than tuatara, and they’re the only insect in the world big enough to scatter seeds through the forest, doing much the same job as our birds.

It’s no small thing to have them here. Once introduced, predators arrived, wētā like these vanished from the mainland, holding on only in a few predator-free locations.

On display in Te Wāhi Wētā, step into the dark room, let your eyes adjust, and see who you can spot among the shadows - the juveniles are especially good at hiding.

Come and meet them this weekend 👀

11/06/2026

Last week, our Volunteer and Capability Lead Christine Reed travelled to Palmerston North to attend the Volunteer NZ (Central) annual award ceremony that celebrates and recognises the contribution of volunteers to our local communities.

Andrew Keall received an award for his tireless voluntary work to clear our traplines of predators, protecting our kiwi, kokako, kaka and other forest life. He was among about 80 other volunteers receiving awards who all work in the heart of their communities to support the elderly, disabled, struggling families, the arts, sports, environment, community physical and mental health, and to support new migrants. Local MPs and mayors were on hand to present the awards and to help shine a light on volunteers in our communities.

So A BIG SHOUT OUT to those working as volunteers in our local communities.

Next week, as part of the International Year of the Volunteer and for Volunteer Week (14-20 June), we will be sharing more with you about the tremendous people and mahi they do as part of our Whānau mahi aroha (our family doing work for love).

Some 54% of Kiwis volunteer in our communities - they are the glue that holds them together. So please take the time to recognise your own tireless volunteers or come celebrate with us. And if you have always wanted to be more involved in the mahi at Pūkaha, then join us in our volunteer programme and become an important part of the Pūkaha whanau.

Find out more at pukaha.org.nz/volunteer/

Contact us through our online application form or get in touch with Christine at [email protected]

10/06/2026

Our Twilight Tours are back 🌙

Join our Rangers for a unique after-hours adventure through the forest, discovering the sights and sounds of our nocturnal wildlife as the forest comes alive around you.

Along the way, you'll gain exclusive access to the Kiwi Crèche with our Wildlife Ranger - a special experience you'll only find on a night tour. It's here you might meet two of Pūkaha's most famous residents: Mapuna, our rare white kiwi, and his mate Manawa.

Watching these remarkable birds emerge under the cover of darkness is an unforgettable encounter, and a rare chance to see kiwi behaving just as they would in the wild.

📅 Fortnightly from 19th June to 31st July
⏰ 5:30pm–7:30pm
📍 Pūkaha National Wildlife Centre
👥 Small group experience (max 12 guests)
🔞 Suitable for ages 12+

👉 Book now at pukaha.org.nz/experiences/

There's a whole other side of Pūkaha waiting after dark - come and discover it!

Book an experience or tour at Pūkaha Wildlife Centre. Daily talks, Guided and Night tours, Māori world view, group visits, Te Hīkoi Rongoā, Ranger for a Day, school holiday programmes.

09/06/2026

You're invited to a very special Kiwi Gender Reveal Weekend at Pūkaha 💙🩷

Be among the first to discover whether our newest kiwi are boys or girls - we'll reveal two on Saturday 20th, and two on Sunday 21st, so there's a chance to share in the excitement whichever day you join us.

At our midday Kiwi Gender Reveal Talk, our team will share each bird's origin story and how the Operation Nest Egg (ONE) programme gives kiwi the best possible start - from egg to release into the wild.

And to make it extra memorable, we'll reveal each kiwi's gender by cracking open custom chocolate kiwi eggs, lovingly made by the talented team at Schoc Chocolates 🍫

We are also giving visitors 50% off self-guided entry all weekend (Family tickets included) - use code KIWIGR50

📅 20–21 June | Kiwi Reveal Talk at 12pm each day

👉 Book your visit at pukaha.org.nz/experiences/

So… who do you think we'll reveal first? 💙🩷

Book an experience or tour at Pūkaha Wildlife Centre. Daily talks, Guided and Night tours, Māori world view, group visits, Te Hīkoi Rongoā, Ranger for a Day, school holiday programmes.

06/06/2026

A perfect match! 💙💚

When Gilkison first arrived at Pūkaha and met Asneath, he wasted no time showing off his best strut in an attempt to impress her. Asneath was a little cautious at first, keeping a close eye on the confident young takahē sharing her space.

But it didn't take long for the pair to hit it off.

Just a day later, they were rarely more than a few steps apart, and now they're practically inseparable! Whether they're exploring, feeding, or simply relaxing, these two do everything together.

If you'd like to see this adorable pair for yourself, head to the deck beside the Kākā Café. Grab a hot coffee, take in the forest views, and keep an eye out for Gilkison and Asneath enjoying each other's company.

A huge thank you to the team at Takahē Recovery for their ongoing support of Pūkaha and for helping bring Gilkison and our sweet Asneath together. 💚

Have you spotted our happy couple yet?

05/06/2026

Spot the mudfish!

A very special native freshwater fish, about 10cm long that look like little eels. But did you know the 5 species that reside in New Zealand have a conservation status of 'threatened' or 'at risk'?

Mudfish live in wetlands, even the smallest can hold a population. By protecting and restoring wetlands, drains, water races and swampy streams, we are helping support their habitat.

Do you have a wetland or swampy area near you? Have you seen any mudfish lately?

05/06/2026

🌿 SAVE THE DATE 🌿

The Wairarapa Garden Tour returns on 21 & 22 November 2026.
This year we're heading across South Wairarapa, with 12 stunning gardens ready to be explored.

From historic estates to beautifully designed private sanctuaries, this year's collection promises a weekend of inspiration, discovery and spring beauty.

Better still, every ticket helps support Pūkaha National Wildlife Centre.

📅 21–22 November 2026
🌿 12 gardens across South Wairarapa
🎟 Tickets on sale 1 August

Whether you're a passionate gardener, a lover of beautiful places, or simply looking for the perfect Wairarapa weekend away, now's the time to mark your calendar.

03/06/2026

How awesome is this. Congratulations to kākā for Parrot of the Year 2026!

Want to learn more about these birds and how you can help conserve and protect them? Join us for the 3pm Kākā Talk held daily.

🎉 We have a winner! 🎉

The votes are in, and your 2026 Parrot of the Year is... The Kākā (Nestor meridionalis)!

This intelligent and charismatic forest parrot is found only in New Zealand, where it plays an important role in native ecosystems. Once common throughout the country, Kākā populations declined due to habitat loss and introduced predators, and the species is now classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List.

Today, thanks to dedicated conservation efforts, including predator control, habitat restoration, advocacy, and reintroduction programmes, Kākā are being given a brighter future.

A special thank you to our partners at Natureland Zoo and The Brook Waimārama Sanctuary for their dedication to Kākā conservation and for the vital work they do to protect and restore wild populations, as well as to the many organisations, communities, and individuals across New Zealand working tirelessly to safeguard Kākā and their future.

Thank you to everyone who voted and helped shine a spotlight not only on this remarkable species, but on all five of our Parrot of the Year candidates and the people working tirelessly to protect them.

💚 Want to learn more? Head to our website to discover all of this year's candidates and the conservation projects helping parrots thrive around the world.

Congratulations once again to the Kākā, your Parrot of the Year 2026!

31/05/2026

🦜 Happy World Parrot Day! 🦜

Today we're celebrating some of New Zealand's most charismatic native birds, our parrots!

Here at Pūkaha, we're proud to care for and showcase three incredible parrot species: the kākā, the yellow-crowned kākāriki, and the critically endangered orange-fronted kākāriki.

The orange-fronted kākāriki is one of New Zealand's rarest birds, with only a small wild population remaining. These tiny green parrots are now restricted to a handful of valleys in the South Island, making them one of our most threatened native species.

Visitors to Pūkaha can see all three species in our aviaries and learn about the vital conservation work helping to secure their future. If you're lucky, you may also spot wild kākā soaring overhead or hear the distinctive chatter of yellow-crowned kākāriki living freely around the reserve.

Want to learn more? Join us every day at 3pm for our popular kākā feed, where you'll get up close with these intelligent birds and hear the stories behind their conservation.

Every visit to Pūkaha helps support conservation programmes for native wildlife, ensuring future generations can continue to enjoy these remarkable parrots.

30/05/2026

Every morning, our Rangers head out to check on our kiwi and make sure they're safe, settled, and comfortable.

To help them feel right at home, we provide a range of cosy sleeping options, including nest boxes, log piles, and sheltered fern patches. Of course, the kiwi still has the final say on where they spend the day!

After just a few nights exploring the big enclosure, Pepper discovered this snug little nook amongst the ferns and has claimed it as a favourite ever since.