Join our Wild (Labour) Weekend
Discounted entry & tours!
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Kiwi Cookie Decorating
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Meet our newest Kiwi!
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Scavenger Hunt
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Fantastic prizes
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Cafe and BBQ

Saturday 25th & Sunday 26th October 2025
(Labour Weekend)

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.

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.

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

Experiences

Walks, tours, experiences, Junior Rangers and campervan visits

Education

Daytime and overnight education programmes at our purpose-built facility, Te Whare Taiao o Manukura

Kākā Café

Watch the takahē as you feast on our amazing menu or grab a coffee

Opening Hours

We are open every day of the year – except Christmas Day!

9:00am – 5:00pm

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.  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.

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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