Browse Newsletters

Subscribe & Win

Monthly Prizes

Subscribe to Free NZ Travel Newsletter

New Zealand Wildlife Park and Conservation Centre

Pukaha Mount Bruce Introduction

Pukaha Mount Bruce is our New Zealand conservation and wildlife centre. This New Zealand wildlife park is a partnership between the National Wildlife Centre Trust, Rangitaane o Wairarapa and Department of Conservation. Pukaha Mount Bruce is also a nationally and internationally recognised captive breeding facility for some of New Zealand's most endangered wildlife.

Our New Zealand conservation centre demonstrates that everyone can make a difference in restoring New Zealand wildlife including, Kiwi, Kokako, Kaka and other native wildlife. These fauna are now being restored to the forest with the support of the local community.

Our New Zealand wildlife park also has a key function for conservation education and is a tourist icon in the region. Visitors are able to experience some of our rarest species that cannot be viewed anywhere else on mainland New Zealand.

Take a guided eco tour when you visit our New Zealand conservation centre and learn about what is being done to save Kiwi, Tuatara, Kokako, Kaka, Hihi (Stitchbird) and other threatened wildlife species.

See the antics of the Kaka, our native parrot in the wild, watch our massive eels and enjoy a peaceful walk in a primeval native forest.

A range of interactive, conservation centred education programmes are available at Pukaha Mount Bruce.

Attractions at our New Zealand Conservation Centre

You will feel a sense of wonder at the history of New Zealand conservation and what is happening now, behind the scenes, to restore Pukaha Mount Bruce's unique environment.

You will learn about some of the fascinating connections between living things as you stroll through the Pukaha Mount Bruce rainforest.

Experience an awe-inspiring close-up of New Zealand's natural environment. You will find yourself surrounded by thousand year-old ancient trees and free-flying native birds. Your friendly guide will bring Pukaha Mount Bruce alive for you by interpreting some of the quirky, weird and wonderful behaviours and features of the forest and its inhabitants.

Some of the talks and walks available are:

• Tuatara talk—New Zealand's oldest living reptile
• Eyeball a wild Kaka—the forest clown
• The eel talk
• Walk through primeval forest
• Guided tours
• Guided twilight tours
• Kiwi House

For further information about our New Zealand wildlife park, please contact us or visit our New Zealand conservation Web site.

Our New Zealand Wildlife Park Visitor Centre

It is here that you will become knowledgeable about the history of New Zealand conservation. Displays tell the Pukaha Mount Bruce story of how a local Mount Bruce farmer changed the course of history by successfully breeding New Zealand's endangered Takahe, close to extinction at the time. Audio-visual displays bring to life the fascinating field techniques and personal stories involved in the fight to save the country's threatened wildlife.

The souvenir shop, also in the visitor centre, offers a fabulous range of New Zealand-made gifts and will solve all your gift-giving requirements.

Stroll from the shop to Cafe Takahe for fresh mouth-watering food and rich espresso coffee and relax and enjoy the ambience of the forest from the sheltered sunny deck. Tasty light meals are affordable and offered throughout the day.

Due to high demand, Pukaha Mount Bruce is now opening its doors in the evening for people to experience the magic of this place when it is most alive with the sounds of the forest. Imagine dining to the background sounds of Kaka, Kiwi and Kokako.

For further information about our New Zealand wildlife park, please contact us or visit our New Zealand conservation Web site.

Find a Job

Post a Job