Dedicated to our national icon

Rainbow Springs' specialist husbandry team have developed the knowledge to have successfully hatched, raised and released more than 1520 kiwi chicks into the wild so far.

Not many people know that Rotorua is home to New Zealand's largest and most successful Kiwi hatchery.

Rainbow Springs is dedicated to the conservation of our national icon, the kiwi. In the purpose built facility, visitors can see into the hatchery and nursery where young chicks are hatched and raised, and ready to be released back into the wild.

From humble beginnings in 1995, Rainbow Springs' specialist husbandry team have developed the knowledge to have successfully hatched, raised and released more than 1520 kiwi chicks into the wild so far, making it the most successful kiwi hatchery in New Zealand.

Emma Bean - Kiwi Husbandry Specialist, says the rewards of her job are second to none - "we see these eggs come in from the wild, we nurse them, incubate them, assist them in their hatch if needs be and then care for them until they are about 1kg in weight which is considered to be when they can defend themselves from predators".

Emma has been involved in more than 1000 hatches at Rainbow Springs and says that the 1500th hatch was her favourite. "Not only because this little chick was our 1500th but because of how fast, active and lively the hatch was."

There is more to Rainbow Springs than just the nursing of the eggs, they also take in kiwi that have been found injured in the wild. In a case last year, Ruata - a North Island Brown Kiwi - had his leg dislocated by a trap in a remote forest near the town of Ruatahuna. The kiwi came to Rainbow Springs and Ruata's intensive rehabilitation involved eight weeks of leg-strengthening using a tiny, specially built treadmill.

"It's of vital importance that quick action is taken with injuries such as this and we're over the moon that, in this instance, everyone worked together so beautifully to see Ruata taken care of and successfully on his feet again and eventually released back home to the wild" says Emma.

Visitors to Rainbow Springs can join a 30-minute behind the scenes guided tour through Kiwi Encounter, hosted by one an extremely knowledgeable team. Admission to this guided tour is a 100% donation to the Rainbow Springs National Kiwi Trust , allowing them to do even more to conserve the kiwi. First tours depart at 10am each day and each hour after that until 4pm.

Tour includes:
• A visit to the state-of-the-art kiwi egg incubation area and hatchery. On any given day if chicks are hatching, this area could contain all the drama of a neo-natal unit!
• See how their specialist staff care for gorgeous kiwi chicks in their nursery
• The 'Forest Floor Café' where the kiwi chick's diet is prepared
• Adult kiwi roaming around in a moonlit atmosphere as you walk through their nocturnal area.
• An example of the outdoor environment where older chicks grow until they are ready for release.
• You will be absorbed in their 'Kiwi Culture' display where you can gain in-depth knowledge about kiwi and their plight in the wild
• See the predators that threaten kiwi in the wild

Admission also grants you a return visit at night to enjoy the park under thousands of coloured lights. Their glass free kiwi nocturnal house opens and you can see kiwi under the stars!

Rainbow Springs has many other native species on display also, such as the tuatara, kea, kaka and more!

Admission also grants visitors a return entry at night to enjoy the park under thousands of coloured lights. Their glass-free kiwi enclosure opens up and visitors can see kiwi under the stars!

Take the kids to Rainbow Springs these school holidays and they'll get free entry! Visit www.rainbowsprings.co.nz for Ts & Cs and details.