It’s no secret that New Zealand/Aotearoa has its own, truly unique wildlife. Whether it’s the dolphins that circle our coasts, the birds that perch in our native trees, or the dinosaurs that stalk insects in our forests, those who get a chance to spot the wildlife in New Zealand get a taste of what makes it so special. Aside from our local celebrity the Kiwi, New Zealand has other bird, fish, reptile, and marine mammal species found nowhere else on earth. Check out this list of New Zealand’s top places to spot our native wildlife.
1. Ulva Island / Te Wharawhara
In New Zealand, there is no shortage of sanctuaries to protect the many native species that inhabit its regions. An island, off of an island, off an island, Ulva Island is a sanctuary two degrees removed from NZ’s mainland, which helps to protect the native birds and plantlife from pests, chemicals, and predators. This is an untouched wildlife bush oasis, perfect for spotting native birds like kiwi, saddleback, and yellowhead, and can be accessed by water taxi from either Halfmoon Bay or Golden bay on Stewart Island/Rakiura off the southernmost tip of the South Island. When you’re done, you can soak up some local New Zealand culture from the town of Oban.
2. Tiritiri Matangi Island
Another pristine island in which to spot wildlife in New Zealand is legendary Tiritiri Matangi. After a 75-minute Fullers ferry ride from central Auckland, or 20 minutes from the Whangaparaoa Peninsula, visitors arrive at the shores of the island that is surrounded in lush bush. This is one of the best places to spot native wildlife in New Zealand with a dizzying array of species calling Tiritiri Matangi Island home. Along the coast you can spot dolphins, penguins, or snorkel through the blue waters to visit the local fish. Inland, there are many scenic walks during which you can spot birds like Takahē and Kōkako, or our favorite little critter, the weta. You can book a stay in the bunkhouse overnight, which is highly recommended if you want to take a night walk to spot kiwi, or Aoteroa’s own living dinosaur, the tuatara.
3. Goat Island / Te Hāwere-a-Maki
If wildlife-spotting beneath the surface is your speed, then Goat Island is one of the best little snorkeling spots in New Zealand. As a marine reserve, Goat Island boasts a massive range of local fish species, all within the shallow waters of the bay surrounding the island. If you don’t have any equipment, you can rent from a few local vendors such as Goat Island Dive & Snorkel, or even book a tour to really take a school (of fish) trip.
4. Paihia / Bay of Islands
Beautiful wildlife in New Zealand is not restricted to the land. Quite on the contrary, all it takes is a trip to Paihia in the Bay of Islands to see that some of our most fascinating wildlife enjoys spending its time weaving through the bays’ bright, sheltered waters. Tours such as Carino Wildlife Cruises offer visitors the opportunity to spot the bottlenose dolphins that populate the bays. If you’d prefer to go dolphin-spotting on your own steam, vendors such as Bay of Islands Kayaking rent out kayaks and offer tours too. A multi-day kayak trip gives you plenty of opportunities to discover some finned friends.
5. Zealandia
One of Wellington’s most popular attractions, Zealandia is an urban ecosanctuary which allows families to explore its well-kept grounds while spotting a variety of New Zealand’s native birds. Even ancient tuataras are roaming here. Those with keen eyes can spot the small owl known as the ruru or morepork cooing from secluded branches. All kinds of rare birds, including kiwi can be seen during the night tours as well, and that’s also the best time to spot tuatara.
6. Arthur’s Pass
One of the most memorable ways to experience New Zealand’s wildlife is by taking the road through Arthur’s Pass and stopping at the Otira Viaduct Lookout. You don’t have to wait long before a “cheeky kea” will come along and introduce itself, or maybe even a whole flock! These native birds are not shy, and be warned, they like to thoroughly investigate cars with their beaks. If you’re heading through Arthur’s Pass to or from Christchurch, this is a wildlife spotting opportunity you can’t miss.
7. Kiwi House
Located about two hours south of Auckland is the Ōtorohanga Kiwi House. This is one of the best places to see the kiwi bird in New Zealand, as they specialise in the conservation of kiwi. Kiwi House also care for other bird species and tuatara. As New Zealand’s largest free-flight dome aviary, they have been conserving the land for kiwi since 1971. Kiwi House offers a fun, family-friendly chance to experience Aoteroa’s unique wildlife, and makes for a great road-trip stop off.
