4.8 (352) · Rotorua · By National Kiwi Hatchery Free cancellation
Witness conservation efforts firsthand at the world's most successful kiwi hatchery!
The National Kiwi Hatchery is a leader in kiwi care, incubation technology, hatching methods, and chick rearing. On your guided tour, you will discover New Zealand's celebrated kiwi conservation program, which has successfully hatched over 2,600 kiwi chicks. You can explore the interactive kiwi burrow, learn about egg incubation and hatching techniques, and observe kiwis as they forage in the Nocturnal House.
This experience is educational, thought-provoking, and truly unique. You'll see how we are helping kiwis at the largest and most successful kiwi hatchery globally.
As a non-profit organization, your ticket purchase directly supports our kiwi hatching program.
✓ Gain insight into an internationally renowned kiwi conservation program.✓ Enjoy a 1-hour guided experience in a state-of-the-art, purpose-built facility.✓ Have the chance to witness kiwi chicks or eggs (best viewing from September to March).✓ Receive a return shuttle to the facility from the check-in zone at the Agrodome.✓ See kiwis roam in our specially designed nocturnal enclosure.✓ Explore the interactive and immersive kiwi burrow experience.✓ Your visit includes a donation to the National Kiwi Hatchery.✕ Hotel pickup and drop-off services are not provided.✕ Food and drinks are not included.1 Program Step 1
Observe conservation in action at one of the world's largest and most successful kiwi hatcheries!
The National Kiwi Hatchery is at the forefront of kiwi husbandry, egg incubation systems, hatching techniques, and kiwi chick rearing. When you join one of our experiences, you'll have the opportunity to see kiwi eggs being incubated, witness the hatching process, and observe newly hatched kiwi chicks.
Hatching season runs from September to March, offering the best chance to see kiwi eggs and chicks. Outside these months, you can still observe our resident adult kiwis foraging in our Nocturnal House.
Your ticket entry fee directly contributes to our kiwi hatching program.
The National Kiwi Hatchery is located at the Agrodome in Rotorua.
· Admission included
Your mobile or paper ticket is accepted. One ticket is required per booking.
This ticket grants direct entry to the attraction.
This activity ends back at the meeting point.
Public transportation options are conveniently located nearby. Infants and small children can be accommodated in a pram or stroller. The facility is wheelchair accessible. This experience is suitable for all levels of physical fitness. Participants must be at least 5 years old. Please check in 15 minutes before the scheduled tour departure time. The hatching season is from September to March, offering the best opportunity to see Kiwi chicks or eggs. Outside of these dates, you may not see a Kiwi chick or egg, but you will still be able to see live Kiwis in the nocturnal house. The facility is situated on the grounds of the Agrodome Farm in Rotorua. Children under 5 years of age are not permitted to participate in this experience. National Kiwi Hatchery - Kiwi Encounter Guided Tour
Book in advance, especially during hatching season (September-March). Arrive 15 minutes early for check-in. Consider visiting outside hatching season to see adult kiwis. This tour is suitable for all ages, but children under 5 cannot participate. The facility is accessible for wheelchairs and strollers. Your ticket directly supports kiwi conservation efforts. For a full refund, please ensure your cancellation is made at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Product code: 5700P1
Activity offered by National Kiwi Hatchery via Viator.
WizardTrip Help Center Families Nature enthusiasts Wildlife lovers Visitors interested in conservation See kiwi conservation in action Learn about New Zealand's kiwi program Interactive kiwi burrow experience Observe adult kiwis in Nocturnal House Support a non-profit organization Ideal for families and nature lovers
Population 58,500 (2020)
Elevation 280 m
Currency New Zealand dollar
Official languages Māori, English
Driving on the left
Power plugs I · 230 V
Emergency number 111
Capital city Wellington Average temperatures 19° Jan 19° Feb 17° Mar 14° Apr 12° May 9° Jun 8° Jul 9° Aug 11° Sept 12° Oct 14° Nov 17° Dec Sources: Wikidata; climate: NASA POWER, 2001-2025 averages.
What is the best time to see kiwi chicks or eggs? + The hatching season is from September to March, offering the best chance to see kiwi chicks or eggs. Outside of these months, you may still see live adult kiwis in the nocturnal house.
What is the duration of the guided tour? + The guided experience lasts for 1 hour.
Is hotel pickup included? + No, hotel pickup and drop-off are not included. You will need to make your own way to the National Kiwi Hatchery located at the Agrodome.
Are food and drinks available? + Food and drinks are not included in the tour package.
Is the facility wheelchair accessible? + Yes, the facility is wheelchair accessible.
What is the minimum age for participation? + Children must be a minimum of 5 years old to participate in this experience. Children under 5 years of age are unable to take part.
★★★★★ Viator review
Very interesting and...
Mitchell_A, October 2026
Very interesting and informative tour, get to see kiwis up nice and close. Guides and staff were amazing.
★★★★★ Tripadvisor review
Great kiwi experience
kezzg, October 2026
Really great and informative. Git to see the 3 kiwis that they have and also some new little chick's which had just hatched. Was a fantastic tour and highly recommend going and doing if you are in Rotorua
★★★★★ Viator review
Kiwi visit
Frances_W, October 2026
Easy to find from Rotorua, ample parking, well informed friendly staff. Excellent tour, great to see kiwis and learn more about them. Highly recommend planning a visit
★★★★★ Tripadvisor review
Very informative and engaging kiwi experience.
bets725, October 2026
Wonderful experience at the National Kiwi Hatchery. The guide was very informative and engaging. She made sure our group got to see the kiwis in the nocturnal house and we even got to see a 4-day old chick in the brooding room. I would recommend this tour to anyone who is even remotely interested in learning about or seeing kiwis up close. The setting is very pretty as well on property shared with the agrodome. Photos are not allowed inside the hatchery on this tour but the experience was better than any photos. My only recommendation would be a larger gift shop at the ticketing site where tours pick up and drop off since time was very limited at the hatchery shop.
★★★★★ Tripadvisor review
An absolute highlight of our trip!
804maddeng, October 2026
National Kiwi Sanctuary was amazing! We loved every minute of this tour. Our guide (I wish I could remember her name, but she was from Chile) was amazing. She was so knowledgeable and clearly passionate about kiwi conservation, and she answered every question we threw at her.
We were lucky enough to see a kiwi chick that was only one hour old, which was unforgettable. We also got to watch the team do health checkups on the young kiwi under 1 kg, and it was fascinating to see how much care goes into each bird.
As a bonus, the sanctuary is on a working farm, so there are plenty of other animals around. We saw so many cute lambs, cows, and even some baby ducks.
Just a heads up that photos aren't allowed during the tour itself, which makes sense for the birds. You can still snap some of the stuffed kiwi displays at the start and the animals around the farm.
Highly recommend for anyone visiting. You leave with a real appreciation for the work being done to protect kiwi.
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