Kāpiti: Native Bird Encounter at Ngā Manu Nature Reserve Kāpiti: Ngā Manu Nature Reserve Native Bird Encounter

Get up close with native New Zealand birds at Ngā Manu Nature Reserve. Enjoy a guided walk-through tour and discover the personalities of the birds in a hands-on conservation setting.
Get up close with some of Aotearoa New Zealand’s most charismatic native birds in this fun, interactive experience at Ngā Manu Nature Reserve. Meet your guide and head into the aviary spaces, where you'll be introduced to the birds as you go.

Rather than simply observing from a distance, step into their world and see their personalities come to life right in front of you. Each bird has its own character. The kea Mahira, for example, is famously cheeky — he’s known for trying to undo shoelaces, investigating shiny things, and sometimes even landing on a willing shoulder just to see what you’re up to.

In contrast, other native species may be more curious observers, quietly watching before deciding whether to fly over. Depending on the day, you may also encounter kākā, kākāriki, and other resident native birds, with opportunities for up-close viewing and supervised feeding where appropriate.

Every encounter is different, shaped by the birds themselves and their natural behavior. Ngā Manu is a working conservation reserve, and this experience is designed to be both engaging and respectful, ensuring the wellbeing of the birds while giving you a rare chance to connect with their individual personalities.

To guarantee availability book as soon as possible. Early booking is worth consideration especially if you planning the trip during high season like public holidays or weekends.

This excursion you can cancel with no cost up to 24 hours before the start of the trip. If you cancel it after 24 hours or not show up on the excursion you will still be charged the full price of the activity. Being late on pick-up or departure will be considered as not showing up.