See Kiwi Conservation in Action - Year Round
The National Kiwi Hatchery is home to the world’s leading kiwi hatching and conservation programme, offering visitors a rare opportunity to experience kiwi conservation up close.
While New Zealand spring and summer are our main kiwi hatching season, there is still plenty to discover during the non-hatching months. Your visit remains a journey into kiwi conservation, care and recovery - with opportunities to learn about the kiwi lifecycle, hear from our passionate team, and see kiwi in our nocturnal house on our National Kiwi Hatchery Experience tour.
For an even closer look at kiwi conservation, guests on our Behind the Scenes Exclusive experience during this season also have the opportunity to observe a juvenile kiwi health check up close.
Whether you visit during hatching season or not, every experience directly supports the future of kiwi conservation in Aotearoa.
What’s Different During Non-Hatching Season?
During non-hatching season, it is less likely that you will see newly hatched kiwi chicks or eggs actively incubating in our hatchery rooms.
But your experience will still include:
- Learning about the kiwi recovery programme and how the hatchery operates
- Hearing stories from our passionate kiwi keepers and conservation team
- Exploring the kiwi lifecycle and the challenges kiwi face in the wild
- Experiencing our interactive displays and conservation spaces
- The opportunity to see kiwi foraging in our nocturnal house
Because we work with live kiwi and active conservation programmes, each visit offers something a little different.
Step behind the scenes of kiwi conservation.
Guests on our Behind the Scenes Exclusive experience during non-hatching season have the opportunity to see a juvenile kiwi health check in our outdoor kiwi crèche, offering a rare insight into the ongoing care and conservation of young kiwi.
FAQs
When is non-hatching season?
This can vary slightly each year depending on weather and breeding conditions in the wild, but non-hatching season is typically between April and August.
Will I see baby kiwi chicks?
During non-hatching season, we cannot guarantee that you will see newly hatched kiwi chicks. Kiwi breeding naturally slows during this time, meaning chicks or eggs may not always be present during your visit.
Is the experience still worth visiting outside hatching season?
Absolutely. The National Kiwi Hatchery remains one of the only places in New Zealand where you can experience kiwi conservation up close and learn directly from the people helping protect the species.
Will I still see kiwi?
Year around visitors have the opportunity to see kiwi foraging in our Nocturnal House. Kiwi sleep for approximately 18 hours a day, so while we cannot guarantee sightings in the Nocturnal House, our team works hard to enrich their habitat with leaf litter, rotting logs and natural foraging opportunities to give you the best possible chance to see them active during your visit.
Visitors joining our premium Behind the Scenes Exclusive tour also have the opportunity to observe a juvenile kiwi health check up close, offering a rare insight into the ongoing care and conservation of young kiwi.
Is the tour different during non-hatching season?
The core experience remains the same, but the focus shifts slightly from active hatching to the wider kiwi conservation and recovery journey. During the non-hatching season, visitors can still learn about kiwi husbandry, conservation, incubation techniques and the important work happening behind the scenes to help protect kiwi for future generations. Visitors will also continue to explore our nocturnal kiwi house, where there is the opportunity to see kiwi foraging in a purpose-built night-time environment.
During this season, our Behind the Scenes Exclusive experience also includes the opportunity to observe a juvenile kiwi health check, offering a unique insight into the ongoing care and development of young kiwi.