23 March 2020
Pūkaha is currently closed. Our wildlife will continue to be cared for by our dedicated rangers during this time. Please continue to check in with us digitally – via our social media channels too. We are looking forward to creating new ways to bring the natural world to you at home, as we experience a new way of life for a temporary period.
We look forward to welcoming you back to the forest when our doors reopen.
Pūkaha National Wildlife Centre is an unfenced sanctuary for native wildlife. Our 942-hectare forest is home to wild kōkako and kākā, while inside our aviaries we breed endangered birds for release across Aotearoa New Zealand.
Refuel in the Kākā Café with some fresh kai overlooking the takahē.
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. We are a non-profit and all proceeds go back into our conservation projects. So rongo te mauri – feel life’s essence!
Opening Hours
Pūkaha is currently closed until further notice, as required by our Government, in response to Covid-19.
Open 364 days a year
(closed Christmas Day)
Summer Hours
October - April
9am - 6pm
Winter Hours
May - September
9am - 4.30pm
Kākā Café
7 days a week from 9am
Oct - Apr: closes 5pm
May - Sep: closes 4.30pm
Entry Prices
Are you a local?
Ask about our Hapori rates!
Free
Pukaha members
Children under 5
$6.00
Children 5-15 years
$17.00
Students
Gold Card Holders
(65 and over)
$20.00
Adult Entry
$50.00
Family Pass
2 adults and up to 4 children
(5-15 years)
Camper Vans / EVs
Overnight camper van stay
Includes guided night walk and daytime entry package.
Minimum of 10 per group, by request.
Note: Camper vans are not provided, but there are a range of camper van hire companies in New Zealand.
$95 per person
Electric Vehicles (EVs)
We are planning to have a charging point available in 2020.
Guided Tours Daily
Get the most out of your visit by booking a tour with one of our expert rangers! Book a 1 Hour Guided Tour for a deeper insight into the forest or for something extra special try a Ranger for a Day experience for an exclusive look at our wildlife and captive breeding programmes. Take a guided Night Walk to our glow worm cave surrounded by the magical sound of wild kiwi.
How to get here
We’re on State Highway 2 (SH2) in the middle of the lower part of the North Island of Aotearoa New Zealand.
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.
