National Kiwi Hatchery - Kiwi Encounter Guided Tour
Overview
Available languages
1 hour
Mobile ticket
See conservation in action at the most successful kiwi hatchery in the world!
The National Kiwi Hatchery is the national leader in kiwi husbandry, egg incubation systems, hatching techniques and kiwi chick rearing. During your guided tour of the National Kiwi Hatchery you’ll get to learn about New Zealand's renowned kiwi conservation program which has successfully hatched over 2,500 kiwi chicks. You’ll get to explore the interactive kiwi burrow, learn about egg incubation and hatching techniques. And see kiwi roam and forage in the Nocturnal House.
An educational, thought-provoking and truly unique experience, you'll get to see how we're helping kiwi at the largest and most successful kiwi hatchery in the world.
A non-for profit organisation, your ticket entry fee goes straight back to our kiwi hatching programme.
Additional Info
Public transportation options are available nearby
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Wheelchair accessible
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Children must be minimum 5 years old to participate
The facility is located onsite at the Agrodome
Hatching season is September to March. Outside of these dates, you may not see a Kiwi chick or egg, but still see live Kiwi in the norcturnal house
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What To Expect
See conservation in action at one of the largest and most successful kiwi hatchery in the world! The National Kiwi Hatchery is the national leader in kiwi husbandry, egg incubation systems, hatching techniques and kiwi chick rearing. When you join one of our experiences, you'll get to see kiwi eggs being incubated, the hatching process and newly hatched kiwi chicks. Hatching season is September and March and the highest chance for you to see kiwi eggs and chicks. Outside of these months you will have chance to observe our resident adult kiwi foraging in our Nocturnal House. Your ticket entry goes straight back to our kiwi hatching program. The National Kiwi Hatchery is located at the Agrodome, Rotorua.
What‘s Included
The chance to witness the kiwi chicks getting a health check, being weighed or fed (Sep to March)
Insight into an internationally renowned kiwi conservation programme
1 hour National Kiwi Hatchery guided experience in a state-of-the-art, purpose-built facility.
Return shuttle to the facility from the check-in zone at the Agrodome
See kiwi roam in our purpose-built nocturnal enclosure
Check out the interactive and immersive kiwi burrow experience
Hotel pickup and drop-off
Food and drinks
Options
National Kiwi Hatchery - Kiwi Encounter Guided Tour
Reviews
223 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
A must - can’t come to New Zealand and not see a kiwi
Marcia J,,Jan 17, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00The staff are so knowledgeable and friendly The centre is very engaging Really enjoyed this experience
Incredible experience
Petrina N,,Jan 15, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Learnt so much about the Kiwi through presentation, video, quiz and physical examples. Then had the opportunity to see adult kiwi in their natural habitat, followed by seeing a newly hatched chick and one a few days old. Was excellent experience
Worth the long drive!
southwestwilson,,Jan 15, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had an excellent experience on our tour and were lucky to see both adult Kiwis and a newly hatched chick. The tour was really interesting and informative and it’s a pleasure to support such a great cause.
Kiwi fun!
The-pun-dit-88,,Jan 15, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Amazing, a lovely way to spend a few hours, informative, fun and so cute seeing the Kiwi, we were so lucky to see one that was born today
Great place to see Kiwis of all sizes
Wiebke A,,Jan 13, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Awesome place to see and understand more about Kiwis and especially what they do to help the kiwi population to grow. Definitely worth it
Go ahead! visit, enjoy and support this amazing project. Viva Kiwi !
rachaelw125,,Jan 13, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We loved our visit to the National Kiwi Hatchery. Our guide was excellent and we learnt so much as well as seeing Kiwis and Kiwi Chicks. Absolutely recommend you visit here and support the amazing work they do to ensure the survival of the iconic bird.
Great experience
sandrarW9845TI,,Jan 12, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Great tour, informative and interesting. Wonderful to see Kiwis for the first time and especially to see the baby Kiwis up close.
watch kiwifruit
michieldekoning,,Jan 12, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Very nice visit. You can take a van downtown. There you get a hell of an enthusiastic and educational story. After that you will enter a dark room where 3 kiwis live. Very nice to see them running around. Then you see how the eggs are incubated and we could see how a chick was weighed, Then back with the van. Very nice getaway
You'll fall for these gorgeous birds
Angelique S,,Jan 8, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00100% recommended a visit to the Kiwi hatchery! Our guide (Carol) was so friendly, knowledgeable and passionate about these gorgeous birds, that it's infectious. The determination and effort that the team put in to sorting the conservation of the Brown Kiwi is inspiring.
Excellent experience to see kiwi
UlyanaInStars,,Jan 7, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Here you can see at least two big kiwis very well, one rather young and some eggs in incubation zone. We also had a very cute experience there - the morning we’ve visited the hatchery one chick was hatched, so we saw baby kiwi clearly. Moreover, professional staff provides you a lot of information about kiwi including some interesting facts. Btw staff is very friendly and smiley, they ready to answer all of your questions. The hatchery is a part of a big agricultural zone which have other other excursions. If you’re curious about the farm animals I’d recommend you to find out more about this.
From NZ$76.93
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Operated by National Kiwi Hatchery