Matakana tour company, Kiwiness Tours has added a kiwi watching tour to its selection of activities.
The Kiwi Walk, which takes place on the Tawharanui Peninsula, offers participants a chance to see the Northern Brown Kiwi in its natural habitat.
Kiwiness Tours Director, Vanessa Wards, is well-versed in her native region and relocated her successful Queenstown tour company up to the Matakana region in 2018. Specialising in custom tours which take in the area's many wineries and breweries, Wards added the kiwi-watching experience to her tour offerings last year.
Since then Kiwiness Tours has seen a steady stream of customers, eager for the Kiwi encounter. "I think what people have really enjoyed is that it is not just about viewing a kiwi. You get to learn how to recognise their call and see how they move in their world – you are a visitor in their domain," Wards said.
"Walking through the native New Zealand forest at night is mystical in its own right, but getting to see a kiwi in the wild – that's unforgettable."
Viewing in the wild
A more hands-on experience than simply viewing a kiwi in captivity, the tour takes participants through the native forest at the predator-free regional park. Truly one of the best places to see a kiwi in New Zealand, the tour runs for approximately three hours, from 7:30pm – 10:30pm in summer.
Tour group numbers are kept small to ensure visitors get the most out of their experience. Tours are family-friendly and can be booked via the Kiwiness Tours website.
The brown kiwi is found only on New Zealand's North Island and is an endangered species. The proximity of people to the bird has created risks through increased contact with dogs, cats and cars. However, it has also been a great advantage to the recovery of the species, with many hours of effort from community restoration initiatives benefiting brown kiwi populations in many locations.
Photos courtesy Kiwiness Tours