Kiwi encounters a major tourist attraction in Rotorua

Helping save New Zealand's national icon has become a major tourist attraction at Rotorua's Rainbow Springs.

After a low-key launch in April, Kiwi Encounter was officially opened by Tourism Minister Mark Burton on Saturday.

Already more than 7000 people have visited the working hatchery and nocturnal house, a chance to view North Island brown kiwi up close.

Over the past three years more than 170 chicks have been raised at Rainbow Springs and 75 per cent of all kiwi hatched, raised and released survive for more than a year, compared to less than 5 per cent in the wild.