Nuture, Nature, Now
Kiwi Park was not always a haven for native wildlife. Originally an unofficial rubbish tip, locals Dick and Noeleen Wilson leased the land in 1984 and began clearing the grounds with the vision of creating a wildlife sanctuary in the heart of Queenstown.
Initially conceived as a sanctuary for the iconic Kiwi bird, we quickly expanded our focus to encompass a wide range of New Zealand’s unique flora and fauna. Over the years, we have become a hub for conservation research and public awareness campaigns, highlighting the importance of protecting the country’s endemic species from threats such as habitat destruction and introduced predators.
Visitors to the park have the opportunity to learn about our conservation initiatives through interactive exhibits, guided tours, and educational programs tailored for all ages.
Today, Kiwi Park continues to play a vital role in wildlife conservation, working closely with government agencies, conservation organizations, and local communities to safeguard New Zealand’s natural heritage.
The Kiwi Park was not always a haven for native birdlife. Originally an unofficial rubbish tip, locals Dick and Noeleen Wilson leased the land in 1984 and began clearing the grounds with the vision of creating an oasis in the heart of the town.
Our mission is to help protect and restore our native taonga species through managed conservation projects and education.
We celebrate the species, people and the environment we work in. We aim to educate our visitors about the importance of conservation and the need to protect New Zealand native wildlife.
We currently have over 20 native bird and reptile species at the Kiwi Park that are either here part of a managed conservation program or brought to us for rehabilitation.
Read about them here.
We are committed to conserving & protecting New Zealand wildlife & their habitats.
The Kiwi Park is fully certified with providing positive animal welfare by the Zoo and Aquarium association (ZAA) as well as being fully permitted by the Department of Conservation (DOC).
My camera roll is full of views like this
#newzealand #wildlife #conservation #birds #queenstown
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Keep this in mind if you’re hoping to snap the perfect photo inside the Kiwi House...
Please don’t! 🚫📸
Kiwi are nocturnal birds and extremely sensitive to light. Any flashes or lights emitted from cameras, phones, or other recording devices can disturb and unsettle them.
For this reason, we don`t allow photography of any kind inside our kiwi houses. We know everyone loves seeing them, and we promise they`re much happier and easier to spot when they`re not getting the paparazzi treatment.
Your friends and family back home will just have to settle for your enthusiastic descriptions of your kiwi encounter!
#kiwi #bird #newzealand #wildlife
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Here`s the story...
Arawa, the ruru (morepork) came to us from the good folks at @wingspan.nz in Rotorua after he was injured in the wild. It`s suspected this wee fella might have been a victim of carstrike after he was found on the side of the road.
Due to his injuries, he can`t be released, so he`s now part of our Kiwi Park whānau. 🤎
📸 This is Arawa and Hunter during one of Arawa`s regular heath checks.
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We all have our vices...
#kiwi #kiwibird #newzealand #bird #wildlife
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Not sure who needs to hear this…
#wildlife #conservation #newzealand #aotearoa #predatorfree
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Makes the catch, even with the deflection off the branch. 👏
Our kārearea (Rui) has serious skills when it comes to catching food... even if it`s airborne.
#wildlife #conservation #newzealand #birds #nativebirds
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Ew, seedy...
Seed mixes might seem like a great way to attract birds to your home, but the reality is our native species have evolved to thrive on specialised diets. Commercial seed mixes and other processed bird foods can actually cause health issues for native birds. They may also attract introduced birds and predators, which can threaten native species.
If you want to make your backyard more native-friendly, we recommend planting native trees and shrubs, and setting up a bird bath. Your feathered locals will love you for it!
#newzealand #nativebirds #wildlife #conservation #birds
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OK, so they aren`t dinosaurs, but they aren`t lizards either.
Tuatara diverged from the lineage of reptiles that included snakes and lizards over 250 million years ago 🤯 and are the sole survivors of that ancient order of reptile.
Every morning we check in on these guys (Zeus and Ollie) to see how they are doing and usually fund them catching some 💤 together. Super cute ☺️
#wildlife #reptile #tuatara #newzealand #wildlifeconservation
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Speaking from experience
#birds #birding #wildlife #conservation
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They should be!
In fact, we all should be! Keeping the conversation going about our native wildlife and the threats they face is very important.
Whether it`s heading outside for a stroll to see what birds you can spot or identify, volunteering at a reforestation initiative, or visiting your local wildlife conservation park to learn more, there are lots of little things we can all do to ensure our awesome birds and reptiles are around for future generations to enjoy.
#conservation #wildlife #newzealand #birds #queenstown
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All the conservation work we do is funded by visitors, donations and souvenir sales.
We appreciate your support!
Ngā mihi