Kiwi Hatchery & Agrodome Farm

OVERVIEW

Visit a hatchery that raises kiwi birds and ride an ATV through fertile farmland that is home to all sorts of domesticated animals. The National Kiwi Hatchery is the country’s largest, most successful such conservation facility and offers an up-close look at New Zealand’s national bird. You will see kiwi eggs being incubated, watch footage of the hatching process and maybe even observe a newly hatched chick. Kiwis are flightless, have furlike plumage and lay eggs six times larger than eggs laid by birds of a similar size. Being nocturnal, they also have relatively poor eyesight and rely on their sense of smell and hearing and cat-like whiskers to feel their way around in the dark. You will see a variety of other animals up-close while riding around the nearby Agrodome in an all-terrain tractor trailer. This is an interactive visit, so you'll meet and possibly hand-feed loads of friendly animals, including Romney sheep, cattle, deer, llamas and alpacas. Enjoy a buffet lunch in the Farmyard Café featuring kiwi-inspired food before making your way back to the port.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Learn more about New Zealand’s national bird than you ever thought possible at a kiwi hatchery.
• See kiwis in various stages of development and learn unusual facts about the birds.
• Ride around the Agrodome farm in all-weather, all-terrain tractor trailer.
• View a variety of domesticated animals ranging from deer to Romney sheep.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.