The National Kiwi Centre
About This Museum
Well, if you want to understand the West Coast, you have to start with its wild heart. The National Kiwi Centre in Hokitika isn't just a museum; it's a living, breathing piece of our backcountry. You'll hear the splash of a giant longfin eel in the freshwater aquarium and feel the hush that falls over everyone when they spot a kiwi rooting about in the dark. It’s a place where our unique creatures tell their own stories.
Collection Highlights
The star is always our namesake, the kiwi, in their purpose-built nocturnal house. But don't miss the ancient tuatara, a real dinosaur-era relic, or the impressive colony of playful native eels you can even help feed.
Visitor Information
It's right there on Tancred Street—you can't miss it. Check their board for feeding times; watching those longfin eels twist up for a snack is something you won't forget.
Architecture & Building
It's housed in a solid, unpretentious building that fits right in with Hokitika's character—practical and built to last, much like the coast itself.
Contact & Location
Address: Hokitika, Westland District, West Coast, 7810, New Zealand / Aotearoa
Phone: +64 3 755 5251
Website: Visit Website
