Pūkaha National Wildlife Centre

Wairarapa, North Island, New Zealand

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Pūkaha National Wildlife Centre, located in the Wairarapa region on New Zealand's North Island along State Highway 2 about 30 km north of Masterton, spans 942 hectares of ancient podocarp forest and serves as a key captive breeding and conservation facility for endangered native species.

It houses birds like kiwi (including the rare white kiwi Manukura), kākā, whio, takahē, kōkako, and kākāriki, plus reptiles such as tuatara and longfin eels, with daily feeding sessions, aviaries, a nocturnal house, and tracks through predator-controlled bush for close encounters.

Operated by a partnership including the Department of Conservation and local iwi, the centre focuses on breeding resilient animals for wild release, forest restoration, pest control, and visitor education through guided tours, night walks, and interactive displays, attracting around 40,000 people yearly.