Book Your Wildlife Experience in Franz Josef
The West Coast Wildlife Centre is an exciting public-private partnership with the Department of Conservation. It is the official indoor home to the on-demand hatching and incubation programme of the Haast tokoeka and the rowi kiwi. The rowi is found only in the South Okarito Forest near Franz Josef. The Haast tokoeka kiwi inhabits the Haast Range, between the Waiatoto and Arawhata Rivers. These are 2 of the rarest kiwis on the planet!.
Kiwi Hatchery & Tuatara Backstage Pass Tour, Includes your All-day Pass entry ticket
This pass offers great value with your All-Day 48-hour Admission Pass. Tours depart daily at 10 am, 12 noon, 2 pm and 4 pm. Essential bookings are required.
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All-day pass entry tickets
48-hour ticket to see live Penguins, live Kiwi, live Tuatara, and our incredible glacier attraction. Live Penguin feeding at 11 am and 3 pm daily. Time Required: 30 minutes to 2 hours. Remember, the more you put into the attraction, the more you will get out of it.
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Annual Pass - Unlimited Entry All Year
Make every visit unforgettable with our Annual Pass! Get 12 months of unlimited entry to the West Coast Wildlife Centre in Franz Josef — home to kiwi, tuatara, and rescued little blue penguins in a world-class habitat.
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Gift Vouchers
What a perfect opportunity to share joy with a colleague, friend, family member, or loved one!
It can be redeemed through entry tickets, thoughtful gifts from our shop, delightful moments at our café or simply as a donation to make to our incredible conservation work!
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Kiwi Chick Sponsorship Packages
Save the Rowi and Haast tokoeka from extinction
The Rowi and Haast tokoeka are the two most endangered kiwi in the world, with less than 500 of each of each bird remaining. Rowi are restricted to the Okarito Forest, north of Franz Josef Glacier, and the Haast tokoeka are restricted to a small area of forest near Haast, South Westland.
In the wild, only 5% of kiwi that hatch will survive to adulthood due to predation by stoats. If we can help to get a kiwi chick over 1kg in weight and the chick’s survival rating will dramatically increase to 85%.
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FAQ
What is the difference between the 48-hour pass and the VIP Backstage Pass Tour?
The All-Day Pass is general admission, self-guided, valid for 48 hours: the nocturnal kiwi area, tuatara, little blue penguins, and the glacier and wildlife displays. The VIP Backstage Pass Tour, also called the Kiwi Hatchery & Tuatara Backstage Pass Tour, is a combo ticket that includes that admission and adds a 40-minute guided experience with a Kiwi Ranger: behind-the-scenes access to the kiwi incubation and hatching facility, up-close tuatara encounters, and insights into kiwi conservation. You can check tour times and book the combo ticket online.
When is the penguin feeding?
Live penguin feeding runs twice daily, usually at 11am and 3pm. The times can change on the day, so please confirm at reception when you arrive.
Are you open year round and on public holidays?
Yes. We are open every day of the year, including Christmas Day and all public holidays.
What is your cancellation policy?
Once a booking is made, no cancellations or refunds are accepted.
Award winning
We’re proud to be recognized with awards that celebrate our commitment to excellence, and customer satisfaction.
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