The National Kiwi Hatchery — Attraction in North Island

Visited the Kiwi Hatchery because I love to see conservation and I think that NZ’s national bird is absolutely adorable and fascinating. It is a bit pricey but your money is going towards a good cause, taking care of the kiwis and ensuring they have a long fruitful life in the wild. You are shown a couple of rooms, one is where they incubate the eggs an small museum to show the features of the kiwi up close in taxidermy form.

My main issue with the National Kiwi Hatchery was our guide. There was a lovely new guide who started the tour that came from Sri Lanka (she was in training) but then when had a different guide who was more knowledgeable than the other guide who took us through the majority of the tour afterwards. The guide was from Switzerland and seemed to be less knowledgeable than the trainee. Unfortunately she did not go into detail about the kiwis much, constantly tangents - so it was hard to keep up with what was actually happening. She openly said she wasn’t sure about some of the facts and even asked some NZ people in the tour about when policies came into place like the pest free one but the people in the tour didn’t know - kinda strange that a tour guide wouldn’t know information like that. She was also saying she wasn’t sure about facts like whether or not the kiwi was the only bird in the world that had two ovaries - but said she is ‘pretty sure’, however this isn’t even true. After giving statistics she would say things like ‘I think’ and ‘maybe’. When asked questions she would tangent and not get to the answer which was frustrating, everyone in the group was pretty disengaged throughout because of these things. She made weird jokes that no one understood it was kind of uncomfortable. When the concept of sponsoring a kiwi was brought up she didn’t go into detail, I had to look up how to actually do that online via the site. People on tour with language barriers were finding it very difficult to understand and keep up with the tangents and conflicting facts from the guide.

Overall, I wish it was more educational for everyone and that the facts were correct. I wish that the guide went into detail about why these birds are sacred to the Māori people and to the land - I think this would be very important...

A Disappointing Experience

The National Kiwi Hatchery promises an educational and enriching experience, but unfortunately, it falls far short of expectations. Even during peak season, the operation seems poorly managed and underwhelming.

For starters, there is only one vehicle available, which results in unnecessary delays as groups are shuffled around to accommodate the limited resources. The lack of organization becomes evident when you’re left waiting, wasting precious time that could have been better spent elsewhere.

The tour guide, Yash, who also doubles as the tuck shop attendant, seemed overburdened, which didn’t contribute to a smooth or enjoyable experience. While she was polite, the multitasking underscored the lack of staff and resources at the facility.

Most disappointing, however, is the fact that you cannot see the kiwi bird in its natural habitat. Visitors come hoping for an authentic glimpse into the life of New Zealand’s iconic bird, but the experience is limited to observing them in a controlled environment, which doesn’t feel worth the price of admission.

In my opinion, the cost of this tour is unjustifiable for what it offers. If you truly care about kiwi conservation, I’d recommend skipping this tour and donating the same amount directly to conservation efforts. You’ll make a more meaningful contribution without wasting your time.

Save yourself the hassle, and look for other experiences in New Zealand that provide better value for money and a more genuine...

Visiting the Kiwi Hatchery was an unforgettable experience! Not only is it incredibly educational, but knowing that 100% of the proceeds go directly back into supporting the facility and the conservation of these amazing birds made the visit feel even more meaningful.

Our tour guide, Taria, was fantastic—she was funny, knowledgeable, and really brought the experience to life. We were lucky enough to see three adolescent Kiwis in the dark room, and we even got to witness a new hatchling being fed, which was truly magical. The care and dedication that the hatchery staff puts into their work is evident, and it's inspiring to know that by visiting, we're helping in a small but important way to save these iconic birds.

The experience also includes a charming little bus ride that takes you past sheep, highland cows, ducks, and a beautiful kiwi orchard, adding an extra layer of fun to the visit. It’s a great way to see the local wildlife and enjoy the scenic surroundings.

This is a must-visit for anyone who loves wildlife and wants to support conservation efforts. It's an experience we won’t forget, and I’m so glad we had the opportunity to be...