New Zealand
The National Kiwi Hatchery
The kiwi is New Zealand's national icon, and it is in trouble. Introduced predators mean that only a tiny fraction of kiwi chicks hatched in the wild survive their first year on their own. Without intervention, the bird that gives New Zealanders their name would keep sliding towards extinction.
The National Kiwi Hatchery is the country's leading kiwi conservation centre, and it exists to change those odds. The team incubates kiwi eggs, raises the vulnerable chicks in a safe, predator-free environment until they are strong enough to look after themselves, and then releases them back into their native habitat. Alongside the hatchery work sits ongoing research and education that shapes how kiwi are protected across the country.
Through cutting-edge conservation, the hatchery has helped hatch and raise thousands of kiwi, dramatically improving their chances of survival and giving future generations a real shot at growing up in a country where kiwi still live in the wild.
Donations to the National Kiwi Hatchery go directly towards the work of raising and releasing chicks:
Incubation and hatchery equipment
Veterinary care and health monitoring for chicks
Food and husbandry costs during the rearing period
Predator-free habitat and release programmes
Conservation research and education
Every kiwi that leaves the hatchery and makes it into the wild is one more bird than there would have been otherwise. We are proud to be part of that.
Make a donation
You can make a donation to The National Kiwi Hatchery in Rotorua and help make a difference.
Your small change will go towards their amazing work and will support their conservation efforts to hatch more kiwi and increase the population of kiwi in the wild.
Cheeky Kiwi transport
Cheeky Kiwi Transport is an eco-certified operator committed to conservation and responsible travel. They actively support projects such as animal trapping in Dusky Sound to remove invasive species and The Valleys Conservation Project, which protects endangered Kea populations in Fiordland. Cheeky Kiwi also measures the carbon efficiency of their vehicles and offsets emissions, ensuring travellers can explore New Zealand with minimal environmental impact.
Waitomo glow worm caves
The Waitomo Glow Worm Caves are not only a natural wonder but also hold deep cultural significance for the Māori people. Recently, partial ownership of the caves was returned to the Ruapuha Uekaha Hapu Trust, which manages them alongside the Department of Conservation. Visiting the caves directly supports the local community, with profits funding essential initiatives such as kaumātua (elderly care) grants, rangatahi (youth) development programmes, and after school maths tutoring for local children.
Mitai Māori Village
At Mitai Māori Village, group members engage in an authentic Māori cultural experience. The visit begins with a traditional Pōwhiri (welcoming ceremony), followed by Kapa Haka performances, which include powerful war dances, songs, and storytelling. This experience offers a unique insight into Māori history and traditions, and all proceeds go directly to the local community, ensuring that these cultural practices continue to thrive for generations to come.
Taupō sunset sail
Sail across the pristine waters of Taupō Moana (Lake Taupō) aboard New Zealand’s only commercial 100% electric yacht. This eco-friendly sailing experience offers breathtaking views of the Ngātoroirangi Mine Bay Māori Rock Carvings, while minimising carbon emissions. By choosing this experience, group members contribute to sustainable tourism and the preservation of New Zealand’s natural beauty.
Wai-o-Tapu
Waiotapu Thermal Wonderland is a spectacular showcase of New Zealand’s most colourful and unique geothermal elements sculpted by thousands of years of geothermal activity and is a revered ‘tapu’ (sacred) site that has been recently returned to Iwi ownership through the Te Pūmautanga o Te Arawa Trust who manage the assets returned to the Māori people in settlement with the New Zealand government. Emphasising the importance of cultural connection and conservation (Kaitiakitanga). Profits generated from the Geothermal park are reinvested into community development, social initiatives, and infrastructure projects that directly benefit the Iwi (tribe). By visiting Wai-o-tapu, you are helping to sustain the cultural and environmental
heritage of the Māori people while also supporting local communities.
Tiaki Promise
In line with Maori belief systems and practices, we have committed to the Taiki Promise.
This is "a commitment to care for New Zealand, both for its people and its environment, ensuring it remains a special place for generations to come."