Frequently Asked Questions

Anytime is a great time to visit the National Kiwi Hatchery and learn about our world-leading kiwi conservation programme. Throughout the year, visitors can discover kiwi husbandry, egg incubation systems, hatching techniques and the ongoing care involved in raising and protecting kiwi chicks.

For the best opportunity to see kiwi eggs, the hatching process and newly hatched kiwi chicks, we recommend visiting during hatching season, which typically runs from spring through summer. Outside of these months there may not be eggs or chicks on site, however visitors can still observe our resident adult kiwi foraging in our purpose-built Nocturnal House and experience the wider kiwi conservation journey up close. Find out more about visiting during our non-hatching season.

Visitors have the opportunity to see kiwi year-round in our purpose-built Nocturnal House, where our resident adult kiwi can often be seen foraging in a natural environment. Kiwi are nocturnal birds and sleep for around 18 hours a day, so while sightings cannot be guaranteed, 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.

During hatching season, visitors also have the opportunity to see kiwi eggs, chicks or aspects of the kiwi hatching and care process, depending on activity within the hatchery at the time of their visit.

FInd out more about visiting during our non-hatching season.

Only our fully trained and certified kiwi hatchery staff are permitted to hold / touch kiwi.

You need to book in advance for all hatchery tours. Places are limited so we encourage you to book online through our website or call 0800 724 626. We cannot guarantee a place if you don’t book in advance.

If you need to reschedule your booking, please call 0800 724 626 and we will try to place you on another tour.

For cancellations, you are eligible for a refund if you contact us 24 hours before your booking departure time.

If you are going to be late for your tour, please contact us as soon as possible and we will discuss options with you.

If you are unable to call us and arrive late, we will try to reschedule your tour for the next available departure or reschedule for another day. You are not eligible for a refund if you arrive late.

It is essential that you make a booking for your open dated ticket. The space on tours is limited. Please book online through our website or call 0800 724 626 or email reservations@nationalkiwihatchery.org.nz to secure your space. We cannot guarantee a place if you don’t book in advance.

Yes. The National Kiwi Hatchery gift shop offers a range of kiwi inspired gifts and National Kiwi Hatchery merchandise. You will also find a selection of gifts and merchandise at Agrodome’s Dog and Whistle Shop.  

National Kiwi Hatchery is only accessible as a guided experience.

Please check in at the reservations desk at Agrodome 20 minutes before your scheduled tour time.

You will be transported by shuttle a short distance to the National Kiwi Hatchery where you will begin your tour. There are visitor toilets at the hatchery.

At the end of your tour, you will have time to visit the National Kiwi Hatchery gift shop before being transported back to Agrodome.

Please allow up to 1hour 40mins for the tour and transportation to and from the hatchery.

Allow 1 hour 30 minutes for your tour, including transportation. 

To ensure the utmost safety and well-being of both our guests and the kiwi in our care, we cannot allow infants or children under 5 years on the National Kiwi Hatchery Tours.

The minimum age for the Behind-the-Scenes Exclusive Tour is 12 years.

Children 14 years of age and under must be accompanied at all times by a responsible guardian or caregiver aged 16 years or over.

Kiwi are sensitive to both sound and light, therefore we do not allow any photos or videos to be taken of the kiwi in the Nocturnal House or in the hatchery.

Manuhiri (visitors) joining us on the exclusive ‘Behind the Scenes’ experience may get the opportunity to take a photo of a kiwi chick during its health check, but this is managed on a case-by-case basis by our experienced kiwi keepers and determined by chick wellbeing. Please follow the instructions of your host.

If you have additional accessibility requirements, please contact our reservations team so we can ensure we support you during your visit to the hatchery. Our reservations team can be reached on 0800 724 626 or via email reservations@nationalkiwihatchery.org.nz

Yes. Please visit our donations page https://www.nationalkiwihatchery.org.nz/donate/ or email sponsorship@nationalkiwihatchery.org.nz

If you are interested in volunteering, please email our reservations team volunteer@nationalkiwihatchery.org.nz