West Coast Wildlife Centre

The West Coast Wildlife Centre, New Zealand, is a brand new all weather attraction located in the centre of Franz Josef.  It is the official home to the incubation and captive rearing programme for New Zealand’s rarest Kiwi – the Rowi and Haast tokoeka. 

The forest and bush around the West Coast are largely dense and untouched and the undergrowth is teeming with incredible wildlife – much of which is rarely seen as it is often only active at night. 

High quality nature films and interactives at the West Coast Wildlife Centre bring you the very special opportunity to come face to face with our rarest kiwi in a natural walk-through setting with this fabulous wildlife New Zealand tour. 

Our first season, the 2010/11 breeding season, was a success with 16 Rowi chicks being released back to the wild. The new 2011/12 breeding season has got underway with our first eggs arriving in mid August. This season we are looking forward to also working with the Haast tokoeka kiwi and are hoping to release up to 40 kiwi chicks back to the wild. 

The facility also brings to life the stories and tales of the people of the West Coast; from the rich history surrounding gold-mining and hunting, through to the incredible evolution of the famous Franz Josef glacier itself. 

A Café and Bakery is open daily and provides traditional west coast food and drinks as well as a popular free Wi-Fi zone* for customers who want to relax in the warm and cosy setting next to a large fireplace.