Kiwi and kea flying through native New Zealand forest – welcome image for Ōtorohanga Kiwi House, a leading New Zealand wildlife park near Waitomo.

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Discover the Magic of

New Zealand's Wildlife at

OTOROHANGA
KIWI HOUSE

Name: Otorohanga Kiwi House Charitable Trust
Address: 20 Alex Telfer Drive, Otorohanga, WKO, 3900, NZ
Telephone: 07 873 7391

- Since 1971 -

Discover, protect, and preserve

New Zealand wildlife at Otorohanga Kiwi House. Every visit to directly supports conservation of New Zealand’s rarest wildlife.

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Open 9:00am - 5:00pm Everyday. (Closed December 25th)

Helping protect kiwi, tuatara, and more for future generations to discover and enjoy.

Wildlife conservationist releasing a North Island Brown Kiwi in New Zealand – a rare and unforgettable eco-tourism experience

TICKETS

You're not just buying a ticket.

You're buying New Zealand's Future!

Every visit contributes to vital conservation efforts. Visit today and be a part of New Zealand’s future.

Under 5

Free

Child 5-15

$13.50

Adult 16+

$29.50

Family Pass 2 Adults, 3 Children

$75

Extra Child

$8

Primary & Secondary School Program

$5.50

Purchase Tickets

Donate to Support Kiwi Conservation

DAILY KEEPER TALKS

Keeper talks are all part of your entry ticket.

For an intimate encounter join our keeper talks to hear about the work they do with each species.

They’ll share a wealth of knowledge about New Zealand wildlife, their conservation, and answer your questions.

TALK TIMES

10:30am

Kiwi

11:00am

Kea & Kākā

12:00pm

Kākāriki

1:30pm

Kiwi

2:30pm

Longfin Eels

Kiwi

3:30pm

More Info

Tuatara – New Zealand’s living dinosaur and ancient reptile species seen only in select wildlife sanctuaries

North Island tourism map showing Ōtorohanga as a wildlife destination just 15 minutes from Waitomo Caves

PLAN YOUR VISIT

Looking for family-friendly activities in Waikato?

Discover everything to see and do at Ōtorohanga Kiwi House — a must-visit New Zealand tourist attraction just minutes from the Waitomo Caves.

Bring the whole family and explore our native wildlife park, featuring the most intimate kiwi bird encounter in Aotearoa. We're home to New Zealand’s most iconic species, including tuatara, kea, longfin eels, and the rare Mahoenui Giant Wētā.

With specialized nocturnal kiwi houses, a huge dome aviary, walk-through wildlife enclosures, wetlands, forested trails, and daily keeper talks, there's always something fascinating happening at the Ōtorohanga Kiwi House.

Whether you're planning a Waitomo day trip, exploring the Waikato region, or searching for unique eco-tourism experiences in New Zealand, our conservation-based sanctuary is an unforgettable stop.

More Info

Family watching a kiwi in a nocturnal house at Ōtorohanga Kiwi House – a rare chance to see New Zealand’s national bird up close

UP CLOSE & ACTIVE

Brown Kiwi in Nocturnal House at Otorohanga Kiwi House

At Otorohanga Kiwi House, visitors can see young North Island Brown Kiwi up close in specially designed nocturnal enclosures where the natural day-night cycle is reversed.

This unique setup allows international travellers to experience real kiwi behaviour during daylight hours – without waiting until nightfall.

Watch as these iconic New Zealand birds forage for insects, bathe in forest pools, dig burrows, and even climb over logs.

Their habitats are filled with native plants, leaf litter, and rich New Zealand soil, supporting a diet of worms, fruits, and invertebrates – just as they would find in the wild.

ENCOUNTER NATIVE NEW ZEALAND

Native forest pathway at Ōtorohanga Kiwi House surrounded by lush New Zealand bush

OUR WILDLIFE

Want to know more about our wildlife and what animals are found in a

New Zealand wildlife park?

Find out more below.

To play, press and hold the enter key. To stop, release the enter key.

Pacific Gecko – New Zealand’s Coastal Climber

Forest Gecko – A Hidden Jewel of New Zealand’s Bush

Elegant Gecko – A Shimmering Native Treasure

Goldstripe Gecko – Native New Zealand Gecko Species

Northland Green Gecko – Bright Native Gecko of New Zealand

Duvaucel’s Gecko – New Zealand’s Largest Living Gecko

Falla’s Skink – Rare Native Skink of New Zealand

Unique to New Zealand, the tuatara is the last surviving member of an ancient reptile order. Meet th

Longfin Eel – Ancient Freshwater Giant of New Zealand

Whio – New Zealand’s Rare Blue Duck of Wild Rivers

Weka – Curious and Charismatic Native Bird of New Zealand

Tūī – New Zealand’s Songbird with a Voice Like No Other

Variable Oystercatcher – Coastal Sentinel of New Zealand Shores

Grey Teal – A Social and Adaptive Native Duck of New Zealand

Spur-winged Plover – Bold and Noisy Guardian of New Zealand Grasslands

Morepork – New Zealand’s Native Owl of the Night

Paradise Shelduck – Iconic Native Duck of New Zealand Farmland

Pūkeko – Colourful and Charismatic Swamp Bird of New Zealand

Pied Stilt – Graceful Wading Bird of New Zealand Wetlands

New Zealand Scaup – Diving Duck of Aotearoa’s Lakes

White-faced Heron – Elegant Hunter of New Zealand’s Estuaries

Mahoenui Giant Wētā – One of New Zealand’s Largest Insects

Australasian Shoveler – Unique Spoon-billed Duck of New Zealand

Sacred Kingfisher – Vibrant Native Bird of Forest and Coast

Bellbird – Sweet-Singing Native Songbird of New Zealand

Brown Kiwi – New Zealand’s Iconic Nocturnal National Bird

Kererū – New Zealand’s Native Wood Pigeon with a Big Personality

Antipodes Island Parakeet – Rare Parrot of New Zealand’s Remote Southern Islands

Bar-tailed Godwit – Record-Breaking Migratory Bird of New Zealand

Kākā – Playful Forest Parrot Native to New Zealand

New Zealand Falcon – Fierce and Fast Native Bird of Prey

Kea – The World’s Only Alpine Parrot, Native to New Zealand

Our Animals

Family Walking Through New Zealand Native Bird Aviary Enjoying Kiwi Encounter

BEHIND THE SCENES TOUR

See everything there is on offer and get behind the scenes and up close with some of our native wildlife, exclusive photo opportunities with some of our critters and an in depth look into our medical and training centers.

Please note: A minimum of two participants are required for Behind the scene tours and a maximum of 12 participants.

Book Now