FAQs

Yes. To book a school group, or education group, please contact our educator on [email protected].

If you are considering a self-guided visit, please let us know so that we can manage the numbers of groups and our facilities across the day. This helps us to ensure everyone has a great experience visiting us.

Our Manu Tīoriori visitor centre is open from 9am - 4pm daily. Closed on Christmas Day only.

Yes! Before going through any of the double gate systems which bring you through the pest-proof fence and into the sanctuary, please check your gear for any stowaways. 

CHECK - your gear for pests such as rodents and unwanted insects.

CLEAN - your footwear and gear to remove any soil or seeds.

CLOSE - your bags and ensure food is within a sealed container.

There are biosecurity check stations placed at Gate 1 (before entering the southern enclosure) and Gate 3 (at the entrance to the Wairere Traverse Track). 

Thank you for helping us to keep our sanctuary pest-free!

We have a rather delightful array of biscuits, chips (crisps), nut bars and ice creams… sounds like a fabulous lunch!  If you are looking for something more substantial, we have big plans for an onsite cafe, but aren't there yet (keep those donations flowing in!)… for now your choices are to get busy in the kitchen and bring food with you, alternatively we recommend Rhubarb Cafe in Arapuni, which is about 15 mins from the sanctuary.

We want you to breathe in the incredible air in and around the sanctuary and therefore Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari is a smoke free zone, which includes vaping and e-cigarettes.

The sanctuary is a dog free zone to ensure that we are protecting our wonderful wildlife.  We have a couple of conservation dogs, all of which are aversion trained to Kiwi and Kakapo.

If you have brought your dog, please ensure you don't leave them in a locked car without water and excellent ventilation.  Let the visitor centre team know that they are there as well in case there are any concerns.

Sadly it's unlikely that you will get to see a Kākāpō, partly as they are masters of disguise, and mostly as the maximum population is ten birds spread over 3400 hectares, so unless you are keen to get walking for days the chances of seeing one if pretty remote.  But don't let that stop you from coming, we have a heap of amazing things to show you!

Yes!  At certain times of the year it is possible to get up close to a Kiwi, typically during the months of March to May when we are running our translocation programme (alongside our partners Save the Kiwi) out of the southern enclosure.  Outside of these times, with some good eyes you will be able to spot kiwi burrows and foot prints.  Remember that kiwi are nocturnal birds, so at night you will be able to hear them call out (not like… ohhh hey I'm over here… more like a wild bird call)

Email [email protected] to make an inquiry and complete our online booking form that our educator will email to you.

Kōrero mai - have a conversation with us about your visit!

Visits must be booked at least 3 weeks in advance. This is to allow our education team time to work with you to ensure the best possible outcomes for your visit.

Trips will be confirmed once we receive your completed booking form and we have had a kōrero about the learning intentions for your visit.

New Zealand Schools from July 2022-June 2023:

$11 per student

$11 per parent

Teachers and teacher aides are FREE OF CHARGE

New Zealand Tertiary Groups from July 2022-June 2023:

$20 per student

$20 per accompanying adult

Lecturers/ Tutors are FREE OF CHARGE

Please note:

• Arranging transport to and from Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari is the responsibility of the school or group
• A minimum payment of the equivalent of 10 paying people is required for a guided education programme booking to go ahead

Yes, you can!

In fact, we recommend this as part of planning your class visit to Sanctuary Mountain. Please contact us to make an appointment. Please note, as this is a professional appointment it is not suitable to bring along young children to this pre-visit.