WELLINGTON: NORTH WAIRARAPA

The Pukaha Mount Bruce National Wildlife Centre provides the chance to see endangered native birds, eels and tuatara as part of a native forest recovery programme

The Wildlife Centre is about half-way between Masterton and Pahiatua, and is well sign-posted along state higway 2. We didn't know about the centre, but decided to stop and have a look around.

This is a great location for anyone interested in conservation and our native forest and wildlife. The trust runs a predator free programme so that the forest can slowly recover from the ravages of introduced pests, and ultimately be returned to how it used to be. Entrance fees are used to help with the ongoing costs.

You can walk through the forest walks by yourself, or take a guided tour.  There are a variety of forest birds, including a noturnal area where you can see the only white kiwi in captivity. You can watch the Kaka being fed fed, and interact with two Takahe, or look on as huge eels are being fed.

Just be careful if you are wearing sandels - one of the Kaka decided that my big toe looked like a nice dietry supplement, and had me hopping around until he flew away.

You can spend anything from an hour to all day at the reserve, and there is a nice cafe for refreshments. 

We hadn't been planning to stop, but ended up spending about 3 hours, finally leaving at closing time.

You can't stay in the parking area overnight.