New Zealand 2026

Summary of possible tours:

- Dunedin. Monarch Tour. Albatross, cormorants, yellow eyed penguins
- Zealandia. Night tour
- Akaroa. Black Cat Cruises. Hector's Dolphins
- Kaikoura. Albatross Encounter. Albatross
- Kaikoura. Kia Ora! Whales
- Kaikoura. Dolphin Encounter NZ. Dolphins
- Auckland. https://whalewatchingauckland.com. Whales
- Picton. E-Ko Tours. King shags
- Okarito. Okarito Kiwi Tours. Okarito Brown Kiwi

My initial idea didn't include Picton or Okarito, although I'm open to anything. Anyway, I think I won't have time for everything, and I'll have to choose. Do any of these tours show the same things as another, and can I skip them? I mean, I only want to take tours that allow me to see different species, not the same animals in different places.

Once again, thank you so much for your great advice.
 
Summary of possible tours:

- Dunedin. Monarch Tour. Albatross, cormorants, yellow eyed penguins
- Zealandia. Night tour
- Akaroa. Black Cat Cruises. Hector's Dolphins
- Kaikoura. Albatross Encounter. Albatross
- Kaikoura. Kia Ora! Whales
- Kaikoura. Dolphin Encounter NZ. Dolphins
- Auckland. https://whalewatchingauckland.com. Whales
- Picton. E-Ko Tours. King shags
- Okarito. Okarito Kiwi Tours. Okarito Brown Kiwi

My initial idea didn't include Picton or Okarito, although I'm open to anything. Anyway, I think I won't have time for everything, and I'll have to choose. Do any of these tours show the same things as another, and can I skip them? I mean, I only want to take tours that allow me to see different species, not the same animals in different places.

Once again, thank you so much for your great advice.
They are all for different species.

So:

- Dunedin. Monarch Tour. - you can see the same albatrosses on the Kaikoura albatross boat, but you won't see the penguins (I have seen Yellow-eyed Penguin from the Kaikoura boat, but it is generally very unlikely), and the cormorants are Otago Shags which are only found in the southern part of the South Island.

- Zealandia. Night tour - if you are going to stay on Tiritiri Matangi, and you do Auckland at the start of your trip, you could skip Zealandia's night tour unless you didn't manage to see the Little Spotted Kiwi on Tiritiri.

- Akaroa. Black Cat Cruises. - Hector's Dolphins (this is your most likely place to see them, so I wouldn't skip it)

- Kaikoura. Albatross Encounter. - if you only have time (or funds!) for one seabird boat then make it this one. You can see a dozen or more tubenoses in one trip. It is pretty expensive now, but it is worth it. Hector's Dolphins may be seen from this boat as well.

- Kaikoura. Kia Ora! Whales - this is for Sperm Whales. Other species are possible. Note that you will see albatrosses from this boat but they won't be close and the whale guides won't be able to identify them, and the different companies are only licensed for their specific fields, so (e.g.) the albatross boat can't approach any whales or dolphins that they see.

- Kaikoura. Dolphin Encounter NZ. Dolphins - this is for Dusky Dolphins (these are really common off Kaikoura so you will quite likely see them from land anyway). Basically, of the Kaikoura tours, go with the albatross boat and only do the others if you really want to see Sperm Whales or Dusky Dolphins. You can probably do two of them in a single day though, if you have the time and money.

- Auckland. https://whalewatchingauckland.com. Whales - this is for Bryde's Whales, and they regularly see other species too (Killer Whales, Pilot Whales, etc). Almost every trip will see Common Dolphins. Having said that, I have been on this boat three times and still not seen a Bryde's Whale!

- Picton. E-Ko Tours. - this is for King Shags which are only found in Cook Strait. The boat can also drop you on Blumine Island for Orange-fronted Kakariki, but you should be able to see these at Auckland Zoo. They do a trip to Motuara Island which has South Island Saddleback and Okarito Brown Kiwi, so if you go there you could skip the following tour, especially if you camp on Motuara to look for the kiwi at night. However if you are flying from, say, Wellington to Christchurch then you wouldn't be here anyway.

- Okarito. Okarito Kiwi Tours. Okarito Brown Kiwi are only found at Okarito apart for birds above.
 
- Zealandia. Night tour - if you are going to stay on Tiritiri Matangi, and you do Auckland at the start of your trip, you could skip Zealandia's night tour unless you didn't manage to see the Little Spotted Kiwi on Tiritiri.

I would strongly disagree with this based on my own experience. There are a lot more species to see than just the kiwi on the Zealandia night tour. We saw essentially wild tuatara and brown teal and got close-up views of wild kaka that we would not have gotten anywhere else. The entire Zealandia experience with the restored ecosystem is worthwhile.
 
I would strongly disagree with this based on my own experience. There are a lot more species to see than just the kiwi on the Zealandia night tour. We saw essentially wild tuatara and brown teal and got close-up views of wild kaka that we would not have gotten anywhere else. The entire Zealandia experience with the restored ecosystem is worthwhile.
Yes, Zealandia is great and ideally he could visit it as well, but if he only has two weeks in NZ his time is limited and he will probably be doing lots of other tours (and they are generally expensive, so saving money is likely also important).

If he is staying on Tiritiri Matangi then Tuatara, Brown Teal, Morepork, etc are all common there at night while looking for the kiwi. Kaka he will certainly see captive, and will probably see wild before Zealandia (e.g. in Auckland, at Pukaha Mt Bruce, or just around Wellington itself where they are common).

Zealandia has Maud Island Frogs but the chances of seeing them on a night tour aren't very high.

Doing the night tour won't be taking away time from something else (what else are you going to be doing at night in Wellington?) but it is an extra expense which isn't necessary. Visiting Zealandia by day would be taking time away from something else (in theory) and everything seen there by day can be seen on Tiritiri Matangi as well (apart for the Kaka).

So if streamlining a trip for "essentials" then Zealandia is easy to skip if staying on Tiritiri Matangi.

On the other hand, if he is moving northwards (i.e. flying into Queenstown or Christchurch at the start, and flying out of Auckland at the end), then I would suggest making sure to do Zealandia just in case he misses the kiwi later on Tiritiri Matangi.
 
Both Zealandia and Titiri Matangi are currently on the list, which I still need to thoroughly review. I'm starting to think that I should prioritize tours and excursions to see native animals in their habitat over visiting so many zoos, but it's an idea I need to think about. Combining zoos/aquariums and tours in a single day is another option, but I'll need your help for that later, as ultimately, a large part of the decisions will depend on the time needed for each option.

One specific question now: the International Antarctic Centre. Does it only house blue penguins? If so, I don't think it's worth investing my time and money there, as I see more interesting things nearby, and saving that time and money will be good for me.
 
One specific question now: the International Antarctic Centre. Does it only house blue penguins? If so, I don't think it's worth investing my time and money there, as I see more interesting things nearby, and saving that time and money will be good for me.
It has Little Blues and White-flippered Penguins, but nothing else living. It is expensive. It is right beside the airport though so logistically is probably easy.
 
It has Little Blues and White-flippered Penguins, but nothing else living. It is expensive. It is right beside the airport though so logistically is probably easy.
Well, then maybe the best decision is to cross it off the list. I think the best option to see them would be in Akaroa, if I'm going to take a Hector's dolphin tour anyway and can also see these penguins on it.

By the way, this leads me to another question: Is Akaroa the only place where you can easily see Hector's dolphins? I mean, aren't these dolphins seen on tours anywhere else?
 
Is Akaroa the only place where you can easily see Hector's dolphins? I mean, aren't these dolphins seen on tours anywhere else?

Kaikōura is another option:

Dolphins in Kaikoura | Learn About Dolphins

Re. Hector’s dolphin:

Along the Kaikōura coast, they can be found in close coastal waters and it is not uncommon to see them around the Kaikōura Peninsula and along the beaches that stretch to the north and south of the peninsula.
 
I'm really worried about giving up on one tour in favor of another and missing out on seeing what I want. According to Chlidonias's notes, he recommends Akaroa for Hector's dolphin watching and Kaikoura for dusky dolphin watching. I'm really worried about giving up on Akaroa, trying to see both in Kaikoura and not seeing the Hector's dolphins...
 
I'm really worried about giving up on one tour in favor of another and missing out on seeing what I want. According to Chlidonias's notes, he recommends Akaroa for Hector's dolphin watching and Kaikoura for dusky dolphin watching. I'm really worried about giving up on Akaroa, trying to see both in Kaikoura and not seeing the Hector's dolphins...

Is there a way to do both?

Akaroa is worth a visit in its own right and it’s your best chance of seeing Hector’s dolphins. @WhistlingKite24 saw them last year without even going on a tour.

I saw a Hector’s dolphin when I went to Kaikōura, but there’s no guarantee you will and visiting Akaroa at least gives you two chances. Whale Watching in Kaikōura offers a chance to see Sperm whale and Orca. I saw Sperm whale on the tour I did, as well as New Zealand fur seals, dolphins and an albatross.

This site offers advice on the best time of year to see cetaceans in Kaikōura:

Best Time to See Whales in Kaikoura? | Whale Watching Kaikoura
 
Is there a way to do both?

Akaroa is worth a visit in its own right and it’s your best chance of seeing Hector’s dolphins. @WhistlingKite24 saw them last year without even going on a tour.

I saw a Hector’s dolphin when I went to Kaikōura, but there’s no guarantee you will and visiting Akaroa at least gives you two chances. Whale Watching in Kaikōura offers a chance to see Sperm whale and Orca. I saw Sperm whale on the tour I did, as well as New Zealand fur seals, dolphins and an albatross.
Yes, yes, there are possibilities for both. I simply said it to reduce the investment of time and money, which is always desirable.
 
Well, then maybe the best decision is to cross it off the list. I think the best option to see them would be in Akaroa, if I'm going to take a Hector's dolphin tour anyway and can also see these penguins on it.

By the way, this leads me to another question: Is Akaroa the only place where you can easily see Hector's dolphins? I mean, aren't these dolphins seen on tours anywhere else?
I'm really worried about giving up on one tour in favor of another and missing out on seeing what I want. According to Chlidonias's notes, he recommends Akaroa for Hector's dolphin watching and Kaikoura for dusky dolphin watching. I'm really worried about giving up on Akaroa, trying to see both in Kaikoura and not seeing the Hector's dolphins...
I've seen Hector's Dolphins at Akaroa on tours, and from land at various points around the South Island. I've also seen them from the albatross boat in Kaikoura. But the Akaroa tour is almost a guarantee whereas other places are not. The reason there are dolphin tours at Akaroa is because that's the only actually reliable place for them.

For Dusky Dolphins, I have seen them regularly from land at Kaikoura - they are very common there, sometimes in pods of thousands of animals. That doesn't mean you will see them, but you have a good chance anywhere around Kaikoura and anywhere along the coast road.

I've also seen Dusky Dolphins, Sperm Whales, and Humpback Whales from the cliffs above the NZ Fur Seal colony at Kaikoura.

My advice would be to definitely do the Akaroa tour for the Hector's Dolphins and the Kaikoura albatross tour - you're probably only going to be here once after all. The other Kaikoura tours (whales and dolphins) are up to you, depending on how "important" these are. All these tours are expensive, although the Akaroa one less-so.
 
Hector's Dolphin are easily and often seen from the beach at Kaikoura's Whale Watch office.

Also, if you go on the Albatross Encounter trip in Kaikoura and mention to the skipper you have an interest in seeing Hector's Dolphins, they make an effort to point them out while they move through inshore waters south of town (usually at the end of the boat tour).

Check iNaturalist.com for species sightings to help instill confidence in your travel planning.
 
For now, I consider both visits almost obligatory. Besides, there are places relatively close by where you can see animals in the wild or in captivity, so I could fill the rest of the day (Kaikoura Seal Colony in Kaikoura, Willowbank Wildlife Reserve and Orana Wildlife Park near Akaroa).
 
Just as I did in the Australia section, which is the other part of this trip, below are the lists of animals I'm interested in for each location in New Zealand. This list is only for zoos, aquariums, reserves, or similar. Aside from this, of course, are the tours to see wild animals we mentioned earlier. You'll see that some of the animals are marked in bold: these are the animals present only in that location throughout the entire trip. Then, you'll see that there are some empty locations or those with very few animals. This is because I haven't found information about them yet, although I tend to think they will be places of secondary importance and that I'll end up eliminating them in favor of others and the tours. Obviously, in two weeks, I won't be able to visit all these places plus the tours; there simply won't be time. So, I would appreciate your help, as you have done up until now, in the selection process. Once I've eliminated a location, it's possible that an animal that I could see in several places becomes almost unique, or I may not be able to see it at all, but it's inevitable.

Kiwi Park Queenstown

Antipodes parakeet (Antipodes green parakeet) (Cyanoramphus unicolor)

Auckland green gecko (Green tree gecko) (New Zealand tree gecko) (Naultinus elegans)

Australasian swamphen (Black-backed swamphen) (Porphyrio porphyrio melanotus (Syn.: Porphyrio melanotus))

Black stilt (Himantopus novaezelandiae (Syn.: Himantopus himantopus novaezelandiae))

Blue duck (Hymenolaimus malacorhynchos)

Brown teal (New Zealand teal) (Anas chlorotis (Syn.: Anas aucklandica chlorotis))

Buff weka (Eastern weka) (Gallirallus australis hectori)

Campbell teal (Campbell Island flightless teal) (Anas nesiotis (Syn.: Anas aucklandica nesiotis))

Morepork (New Zealand Boobook) (Ninox novaeseelandiae)

New Zealand falcon (New Zealand hobby) (Falco novaeseelandiae)

New Zealand pigeon (Kereru) (Hemiphaga novaeseelandiae)

New Zealand scaup (Aythya novaeseelandiae)

New Zealand shoveler (Spatula rhynchotis variegata (Syn.: Anas rhynchotis variegata))

Northern brown kiwi (North Island brown kiwi) (Apteryx mantelli (Syn.: Apteryx australis mantelli))

Otago skink (Oligosoma otagense (Syn.: Girardiscincus otagense) (Syn.: Leiolopisma otagense))

Red-crowned parakeet (Red-fronted parakeet) (Cyanoramphus novaezelandiae)

South Island oystercatcher (Haematopus finschi (Syn.: Haematopus longirostris finschi))

Southern kaka (South Island kaka) (Nestor meridionalis meridionalis)

Tuatara (Northern tuatara) (Sphenodon punctatus)

Tui (Prosthemadera novaeseelandiae)

Yellow-fronted parakeet (Yellow-crowned parakeet) (Cyanoramphus auriceps (Syn.: Cyanoramphus auriceps auriceps))



Te Anau Bird Sanctuary

Antipodes parakeet (Antipodes green parakeet) (Cyanoramphus unicolor)

Brown teal (New Zealand teal) (Anas chlorotis (Syn.: Anas aucklandica chlorotis))

Morepork (New Zealand Boobook) (Ninox novaeseelandiae)

New Zealand Black Duck (Anas superciliosa superciliosa)

New Zealand pigeon (Kereru) (Hemiphaga novaeseelandiae)

New Zealand scaup (Aythya novaeseelandiae)

South Island takahe (Porphyrio hochstetteri (Syn.: Notornis hochstetteri))

Southern kaka (South Island kaka) (Nestor meridionalis meridionalis)


Orana Wildlife Park

Auckland green gecko (Green tree gecko) (New Zealand tree gecko) (Naultinus elegans)

Blue duck (Hymenolaimus malacorhynchos)

Brown teal (New Zealand teal) (Anas chlorotis (Syn.: Anas aucklandica chlorotis))

Gold-stripe gecko (Golden sticky-toed gecko) (Woodworthia chrysosiretica (Syn.: Hoplodactylus chrysosireticus))

Jewelled gecko (Naultinus gemmeus)

Malherbe`s parakeet (Orange-fronted parakeet) (Cyanoramphus malherbi)

Morepork (New Zealand Boobook) (Ninox novaeseelandiae)

New Zealand bellbird (Anthornis melanura)

New Zealand kingfisher (Todiramphus sanctus vagans)

New Zealand pigeon (Kereru) (Hemiphaga novaeseelandiae)

Northern brown kiwi (North Island brown kiwi) (Apteryx mantelli (Syn.: Apteryx australis mantelli))

Red-crowned parakeet (Red-fronted parakeet) (Cyanoramphus novaezelandiae)

South Island oystercatcher (Haematopus finschi (Syn.: Haematopus longirostris finschi))

Southern kaka (South Island kaka) (Nestor meridionalis meridionalis)

Tuatara (Northern tuatara) (Sphenodon punctatus)

Tui (Prosthemadera novaeseelandiae)


Willowbank Wildlife Reserve

Blue duck (Hymenolaimus malacorhynchos)

Brown teal (New Zealand teal) (Anas chlorotis (Syn.: Anas aucklandica chlorotis))

Buff weka (Eastern weka) (Gallirallus australis hectori)

Campbell teal (Campbell Island flightless teal) (Anas nesiotis (Syn.: Anas aucklandica nesiotis))

Great spotted kiwi (Apteryx haastii)

Morepork (New Zealand Boobook) (Ninox novaeseelandiae)

New Zealand falcon (New Zealand hobby) (Falco novaeseelandiae)

New Zealand kingfisher (Todiramphus sanctus vagans)

New Zealand pigeon (Kereru) (Hemiphaga novaeseelandiae)

New Zealand shoveler (Spatula rhynchotis variegata (Syn.: Anas rhynchotis variegata))

Northern brown kiwi (North Island brown kiwi) (Apteryx mantelli (Syn.: Apteryx australis mantelli))

Okarito kiwi (Okarito brown kiwi) (Rowi) (Apteryx rowi)

Red-crowned parakeet (Red-fronted parakeet) (Cyanoramphus novaezelandiae)

Short-finned eel (Australian shortfinned eel) (Anguilla australis)

South Island takahe (Porphyrio hochstetteri (Syn.: Notornis hochstetteri))

Southern brown kiwi (Tokoeka) (Apteryx australis)

Southern kaka (South Island kaka) (Nestor meridionalis meridionalis)

Tuatara (Northern tuatara) (Sphenodon punctatus)

Tui (Prosthemadera novaeseelandiae)


National Aquarium of New Zealand

Armoured bichir (Polypterus delhezi)

Australian salmon (Arripis trutta)

Bluefin gurnard (Chelidonichthys kumu)

Broadnose sevengill shark (Notorynchus cepedianus (Syn.: Notorhynchus cepedianus))

Convict cichlid (Amatitlania nigrofasciata (Syn.: "Cichlasoma" nigrofasciatum) (Syn.: Archocentrus nigrofasciatus))

Eastern kelpfish (Large kelpfish) (Chironemus marmoratus)

Eastern red scorpionfish (Cook's scorpionfish) (Scorpaena cardinalis)

Giant kokopu (Galaxias argenteus)

Green swordtail (Xiphophorus hellerii (Syn.: Xiphophorus helleri))

Indian Ocean mimic surgeonfish (Acanthurus tristis)

Longspine burrfish (Long-spined porcupinefish) (Tragulichthys jaculiferus)

Marblefish (Aplodactylus arctidens)

Moustache catfish (Synodontis membranaceus (Syn.: Hemisynodontis membranacea))

Neon damselfish (Blue & Gold damselfish) (Pomacentrus coelestis)

New Zealand blue cod (Parapercis colias)


Northern brown kiwi (North Island brown kiwi) (Apteryx mantelli (Syn.: Apteryx australis mantelli))

Parore (Black bream) (Girella tricuspidata)

Piked dogfish (Spiny dogfish) (Squalus acanthias)

Pinktail chalceus (Chalceus macrolepidotus)

Pirapitinga (Piaractus brachypomus (Syn.: Colossoma brachypomum) (Syn.: Colossoma bidens) (Syn.: Myletes bidens))


Red pigfish (Bodianus unimaculatus)

Scarlet wrasse (Pseudolabrus miles)

School shark (Tope shark) (Snapper shark) (Galeorhinus galeus)

Short-finned eel (Australian shortfinned eel) (Anguilla australis)

Short-tail stingray (Giant stingray) (Bathytoshia brevicaudata (Syn.: Dasyatis brevicaudata) (Syn.: Dasyatis matsubarai))

Silver seabream (Australasian snapper) (Pink snapper) (Chrysophrys auratus (Syn.: Pagrus auratus))

Silver sweep (Scorpis lineolata)

Southern bell frog (Blue-thighed treefrog) (Green and golden frog) (Ranoidea raniformis (Syn.: Litoria raniformis))

Southseas devil (Chrysiptera taupou)

Spotted estuary smooth-hound (Rig) (Gummy shark) (Mustelus lenticulatus)

Spotty (Paketi) (Notolabrus celidotus)

Striped dwarf catfish (Mystus vittatus)


Tuatara (Northern tuatara) (Sphenodon punctatus)

Velvet leatherjacket (Cosmopolitan leatherjacket) (Meuschenia scaber (Syn.: Parika scaber))

White trevally (Blue trevally) (Pseudocaranx dentex (Syn.: Caranx dentex))

Yellow moray (Gymnothorax prasinus)


Tongariro National Trout Centre


Wingspan National Bird of Prey Centre

Australian Barn Owl (Tyto javanica delicatula (Syn.: Tyto alba delicatula) (Syn.: Tyto alba lifuensis))

Morepork (New Zealand Boobook) (Ninox novaeseelandiae)

New Zealand falcon (New Zealand hobby) (Falco novaeseelandiae)

Pacific marsh-harrier (Swamp harrier) (Australasian harrier) (Circus approximans)


Otorohanga Kiwi House

Antipodes parakeet (Antipodes green parakeet) (Cyanoramphus unicolor)

Auckland green gecko (Green tree gecko) (New Zealand tree gecko) (Naultinus elegans)

Australasian swamphen (Black-backed swamphen) (Porphyrio porphyrio melanotus (Syn.: Porphyrio melanotus))

Bar-tailed godwit (Limosa lapponica)

Black-shouldered lapwing (Southern masked lapwing) (Vanellus novaehollandiae (Syn.: Vanellus miles novaehollandiae))


Blue duck (Hymenolaimus malacorhynchos)

Brown teal (New Zealand teal) (Anas chlorotis (Syn.: Anas aucklandica chlorotis))

Campbell teal (Campbell Island flightless teal) (Anas nesiotis (Syn.: Anas aucklandica nesiotis))

Duvaucel's gecko (Northern Sticky-toed gecko) (Hoplodactylus duvaucelii)

Gold-stripe gecko (Golden sticky-toed gecko) (Woodworthia chrysosiretica (Syn.: Hoplodactylus chrysosireticus))

Gray's sticky-toed gecko (New Zealand forest gecko) (Mokopirirakau granulatus (Syn.: Hoplodactylus granulatus))

Grey teal (Australian grey teal) (Anas gracilis (Syn.: Anas gibberifrons gracilis))

Morepork (New Zealand Boobook) (Ninox novaeseelandiae)

New Zealand bellbird (Anthornis melanura)

New Zealand Black Duck (Anas superciliosa superciliosa)

New Zealand buff-banded rail (Hypotaenidia philippensis assimilis (Syn.: Gallirallus philippensis assimilis))

New Zealand falcon (New Zealand hobby) (Falco novaeseelandiae)

New Zealand kingfisher (Todiramphus sanctus vagans)

New Zealand pigeon (Kereru) (Hemiphaga novaeseelandiae)

New Zealand scaup (Aythya novaeseelandiae)

New Zealand shoveler (Spatula rhynchotis variegata (Syn.: Anas rhynchotis variegata))

North Island weka (Gallirallus australis greyi (Syn.: Gallirallus australis earli))

Northern brown kiwi (North Island brown kiwi) (Apteryx mantelli (Syn.: Apteryx australis mantelli))

Pied stilt (White-headed stilt) (Himantopus leucocephalus (Syn.: Himantopus himantopus leucocephalus))

Red-crowned parakeet (Red-fronted parakeet) (Cyanoramphus novaezelandiae)

South Island oystercatcher (Haematopus finschi (Syn.: Haematopus longirostris finschi))

Tuatara (Northern tuatara) (Sphenodon punctatus)

Tui (Prosthemadera novaeseelandiae)

Variable Oystercatcher (Haematopus unicolor (Syn.: Haematopus ostralegus unicolor))

Wellington green gecko (New Zealand barking gecko) (Naultinus punctatus)



Hamilton Zoo

Antipodes parakeet (Antipodes green parakeet) (Cyanoramphus unicolor)

Blue duck (Hymenolaimus malacorhynchos)

Brolga (Australian crane) (Antigone rubicunda (Syn.: Grus rubicunda))

Brown teal (New Zealand teal) (Anas chlorotis (Syn.: Anas aucklandica chlorotis))

Duvaucel's gecko (Northern Sticky-toed gecko) (Hoplodactylus duvaucelii)

Eastern bearded dragon (Jew lizard) (Pogona barbata (Syn.: Amphibolurus barbatus) (Syn.: Amphibolurus barbata))

Grey teal (Australian grey teal) (Anas gracilis (Syn.: Anas gibberifrons gracilis))

Hochstetter’s frog (Hochstetter's new zealand frog) (Leiopelma hochstetteri)

Javan moustached parakeet (Psittacula alexandri alexandri)

Maroon-bellied parakeet (Maroon-bellied conure) (Reddish-bellied parakeet) (No Subspecific status) (Pyrrhura frontalis (Syn.: Pyrrhura vittata))


Morepork (New Zealand Boobook) (Ninox novaeseelandiae)

Musk lorikeet (Glossopsitta concinna)

New Zealand bellbird (Anthornis melanura)

New Zealand Black Duck (Anas superciliosa superciliosa)

New Zealand buff-banded rail (Hypotaenidia philippensis assimilis (Syn.: Gallirallus philippensis assimilis))

New Zealand falcon (New Zealand hobby) (Falco novaeseelandiae)

New Zealand kingfisher (Todiramphus sanctus vagans)

New Zealand pigeon (Kereru) (Hemiphaga novaeseelandiae)

New Zealand shoveler (Spatula rhynchotis variegata (Syn.: Anas rhynchotis variegata))

North Island saddleback (Philesturnus rufusater (Syn.: Creadion carunculatus rufusater))

North Island weka (Gallirallus australis greyi (Syn.: Gallirallus australis earli))

Otago skink (Oligosoma otagense (Syn.: Girardiscincus otagense) (Syn.: Leiolopisma otagense))

Red-crowned parakeet (Red-fronted parakeet) (Cyanoramphus novaezelandiae)

Robust skink (Alan's skink) (Oligosoma alani (Syn.: Cyclodina alani))

Three Kings Islands skink (Falla`s skink) (Oligosoma fallai)

Tuatara (Northern tuatara) (Sphenodon punctatus)

Tui (Prosthemadera novaeseelandiae)

Yellow-fronted parakeet (Yellow-crowned parakeet) (Cyanoramphus auriceps (Syn.: Cyanoramphus auriceps auriceps))


SEA LIFE Kelly Tarlton's Aquarium

Australian salmon (Arripis trutta)

Banded morwong (Red moki) (Brown-banded morwong) (Chirodactylus spectabilis (Syn.: Cheilodactylus spectabilis) (Syn.: Goniistius spectabilis))

Black scalyfin (Black angelfish) (Parma alboscapularis)

Blue maomao (Scorpis violacea)


Broadnose sevengill shark (Notorynchus cepedianus (Syn.: Notorhynchus cepedianus))

Eastern kelpfish (Large kelpfish) (Chironemus marmoratus)

Eastern king wrasse (Sandager's wrasse) (Coris sandeyeri)

Eastern red scorpionfish (Cook's scorpionfish) (Scorpaena cardinalis)

Giant kokopu (Galaxias argenteus)

Grey moray (Gymnothorax nubilus)

Hapuku wreckfish (Blue cod) (Polyprion oxygeneios)

New Zealand demoiselle (Chromis dispilus)


New Zealand longfin eel (Anguilla dieffenbachii)

Parore (Black bream) (Girella tricuspidata)

Pastel-green wrasse (Black-blotched wrasse) (Halichoeres chloropterus (Syn.: Halichoeres gymnocephalus))

Picturesque dragonet (Synchiropus picturatus)


Red pigfish (Bodianus unimaculatus)

Redfish (Eastern nannygai) (Centroberyx affinis)

Saddletail grouper (Black rockcod) (Spotted black grouper) (Epinephelus daemelii)


School shark (Tope shark) (Snapper shark) (Galeorhinus galeus)

Short-tail stingray (Giant stingray) (Bathytoshia brevicaudata (Syn.: Dasyatis brevicaudata) (Syn.: Dasyatis matsubarai))

Silver seabream (Australasian snapper) (Pink snapper) (Chrysophrys auratus (Syn.: Pagrus auratus))

Silver sweep (Scorpis lineolata)

Southern eagle ray (Myliobatis tenuicaudatus)

Spiny pipehorse (Solegnathus spinosissimus)

Spotted wobbegong (Orectolobus maculatus)


Tuatara (Northern tuatara) (Sphenodon punctatus)

White trevally (Blue trevally) (Pseudocaranx dentex (Syn.: Caranx dentex))

Yellow moray (Gymnothorax prasinus)

Yellowtail amberjack (Seriola lalandi)


Butterfly Creek

Black ghost knifefish (Apteronotus albifrons (Syn.: Sternarchus albifrons))

Convict cichlid (Amatitlania nigrofasciata (Syn.: "Cichlasoma" nigrofasciatum) (Syn.: Archocentrus nigrofasciatus))

Gray's sticky-toed gecko (New Zealand forest gecko) (Mokopirirakau granulatus (Syn.: Hoplodactylus granulatus))

Leopard cactus pleco (Pseudacanthicus leopardus)

Northern brown kiwi (North Island brown kiwi) (Apteryx mantelli (Syn.: Apteryx australis mantelli))

Raphael catfish (Southern striped raphael) (Platydoras armatulus (misid.: Platydoras costatus))

Short-finned eel (Australian shortfinned eel) (Anguilla australis)


Ti Point Reptile Park

Auckland green gecko (Green tree gecko) (New Zealand tree gecko) (Naultinus elegans)

Duvaucel's gecko (Northern Sticky-toed gecko) (Hoplodactylus duvaucelii)

Eastern bearded dragon (Jew lizard) (Pogona barbata (Syn.: Amphibolurus barbatus) (Syn.: Amphibolurus barbata))

Gold-stripe gecko (Golden sticky-toed gecko) (Woodworthia chrysosiretica (Syn.: Hoplodactylus chrysosireticus))

Golden bell frog (Green and golden bell frog) (Ranoidea aurea (Syn.: Litoria aurea))

Gray's sticky-toed gecko (New Zealand forest gecko) (Mokopirirakau granulatus (Syn.: Hoplodactylus granulatus))

Jewelled gecko (Naultinus gemmeus)

Marlborough green gecko (Manuka gecko) (Naultinus manukanus)

Moko skink (Oligosoma moco)

Murray River turtle (Macquarie River turtle) (Australian big-headed side-necked turtle) (Emydura macquarii macquarii (Syn.: Emydura australis))

Nelson green gecko (Star-spangled gecko) (Starry tree gecko) (Naultinus stellatus)

Northland green gecko (Naultinus grayii)

Otago skink (Oligosoma otagense (Syn.: Girardiscincus otagense) (Syn.: Leiolopisma otagense))

Robust skink (Alan's skink) (Oligosoma alani (Syn.: Cyclodina alani))

Rough-scaled gecko (Naultinus rudis)

Schist gecko (Central Otago gecko) (Woodworthia spec. "Central Otago")

Small-scaled skink (Oligosoma microlepis)


Southern bell frog (Blue-thighed treefrog) (Green and golden frog) (Ranoidea raniformis (Syn.: Litoria raniformis))

Three Kings Islands skink (Falla`s skink) (Oligosoma fallai)

Three-toed box turtle (Terrapene carolina triunguis (Syn.: Terrapene mexicana triunguis))

Tuatara (Northern tuatara) (Sphenodon punctatus)


Auckland Zoo

Antipodes parakeet (Antipodes green parakeet) (Cyanoramphus unicolor)

Archey's frog (Coromandel new zealand frog) (Leiopelma archeyi)

Auckland green gecko (Green tree gecko) (New Zealand tree gecko) (Naultinus elegans)

Australian Barn Owl (Tyto javanica delicatula (Syn.: Tyto alba delicatula) (Syn.: Tyto alba lifuensis))

Awakopaka skink (Oligosoma awakopaka)

Banded kokopu (Galaxias fasciatus)

Banded rainbowfish (Melanotaenia trifasciata)

Black mudfish (Neochanna diversus)


Blue duck (Hymenolaimus malacorhynchos)

Brown teal (New Zealand teal) (Anas chlorotis (Syn.: Anas aucklandica chlorotis))

Brown-capped emerald dove (Pacific emerald dove) (No Subspecific status) (Chalcophaps longirostris (Syn.: Chalcophaps indica chrysochlora) (Syn.: Chalcophaps chrysochlora))

Cerro Azul giant tortoise (Albemarle Island giant tortoise) (Chelonoidis niger vicina (Syn.: Chelonoidis nigra microphyes) (Syn.: Chelonoidis vicina))

Checkered barb (Oliotius oligolepis (Syn.: Puntius oligolepis) (Syn.: Barbus oligolepis))

Chevron skink (Oligosoma homalonotum (Syn.: Oligosoma gracilicorpus))

Climbing galaxias (Galaxias brevipinnis)

Cobble skink (Oligosoma aff. infrapunctatum "Cobble")


Common galaxias (Inanga) (Common jollytail) (Galaxias maculatus (Syn.: Galaxias attenuatus))

Cran`s bully (Gobiomorphus basalis)

Duvaucel's gecko (Northern Sticky-toed gecko) (Hoplodactylus duvaucelii)

Eastern bearded dragon (Jew lizard) (Pogona barbata (Syn.: Amphibolurus barbatus) (Syn.: Amphibolurus barbata))

Eastern rainbow fish (Melanotaenia splendida splendida)

Fairy tern (Sternula nereis (Syn.: Sterna nereis))

Fatu Hiva monarch (Pomarea whitneyi)

Finescale tigerfish (Indonesian tiger fish) (Datnioides microlepis (Syn.: Coius microlepis))


Giant kokopu (Galaxias argenteus)

Gold-stripe gecko (Golden sticky-toed gecko) (Woodworthia chrysosiretica (Syn.: Hoplodactylus chrysosireticus))

Golden bell frog (Green and golden bell frog) (Ranoidea aurea (Syn.: Litoria aurea))

Grand skink (Oligosoma grande)

Gray's sticky-toed gecko (New Zealand forest gecko) (Mokopirirakau granulatus (Syn.: Hoplodactylus granulatus))

Grey teal (Australian grey teal) (Anas gracilis (Syn.: Anas gibberifrons gracilis))

Jewelled gecko (Naultinus gemmeus)

Malherbe`s parakeet (Orange-fronted parakeet) (Cyanoramphus malherbi)

Moko skink (Oligosoma moco)

Morepork (New Zealand Boobook) (Ninox novaeseelandiae)

Musk lorikeet (Glossopsitta concinna)

New Zealand bellbird (Anthornis melanura)

New Zealand kingfisher (Todiramphus sanctus vagans)

New Zealand longfin eel (Anguilla dieffenbachii)

New Zealand pigeon (Kereru) (Hemiphaga novaeseelandiae)

New Zealand plover (Red-breasted plover) (Tuturiwhatu) (Anarhynchus obscurus (Syn.: Charadrius obscurus) (Syn.: Pluvialis obscura))

New Zealand scaup (Aythya novaeseelandiae)

New Zealand shoveler (Spatula rhynchotis variegata (Syn.: Anas rhynchotis variegata))

North Island saddleback (Philesturnus rufusater (Syn.: Creadion carunculatus rufusater))

North Island weka (Gallirallus australis greyi (Syn.: Gallirallus australis earli))

Northern brown kiwi (North Island brown kiwi) (Apteryx mantelli (Syn.: Apteryx australis mantelli))

Northland green gecko (Naultinus grayii)

Odessa barb (Pethia padamya (Syn.: Puntius padamya) (Syn.: Barbus ticto var. odessa))

Otago skink (Oligosoma otagense (Syn.: Girardiscincus otagense) (Syn.: Leiolopisma otagense))

Pacific gecko (Dactylocnemis pacificus (Syn.: Hoplodactylus pacificus))

Pacific marsh-harrier (Swamp harrier) (Australasian harrier) (Circus approximans)

Pale-headed rosella (No Subspecific status) (Platycercus adscitus)

Pearl danio (Danio albolineatus (Syn.: Brachydanio albolineata))


Pied stilt (White-headed stilt) (Himantopus leucocephalus (Syn.: Himantopus himantopus leucocephalus))

Redfin bully (Gobiomorphus huttoni)

Rough-scaled gecko (Naultinus rudis)

South Island takahe (Porphyrio hochstetteri (Syn.: Notornis hochstetteri))

Southern speckled skink (Newman`s speckled skink) (Oligosoma newmani)

Subantarctic fur seal (Amsterdam Island Fur Seal) (Arctocephalus tropicalis)


Three Kings Islands skink (Falla`s skink) (Oligosoma fallai)

Tuatara (Northern tuatara) (Sphenodon punctatus)

Tui (Prosthemadera novaeseelandiae)

Western rainbowfish (Melanotaenia australis (Syn.: Melanotaenia splendida australis))

Yellow-fronted parakeet (Yellow-crowned parakeet) (Cyanoramphus auriceps (Syn.: Cyanoramphus auriceps auriceps))

Yellow-lipped sea krait (Colubrine sea krait) (Laticauda colubrina)


Wellington Zoo

Duvaucel's gecko (Northern Sticky-toed gecko) (Hoplodactylus duvaucelii)

Grand skink (Oligosoma grande)

Hamilton's frog (Brown new zealand frog) (Maud Island frog) (Leiopelma hamiltoni (Syn: Leiopelma pakeka))

Little spotted kiwi (Apteryx owenii)

Otago skink (Oligosoma otagense (Syn.: Girardiscincus otagense) (Syn.: Leiolopisma otagense))

Tuatara (Northern tuatara) (Sphenodon punctatus)

Tui (Prosthemadera novaeseelandiae)

Wellington green gecko (New Zealand barking gecko) (Naultinus punctatus)


Wellington (Nga Manu Nature Reserve)

Australasian swamphen (Black-backed swamphen) (Porphyrio porphyrio melanotus (Syn.: Porphyrio melanotus))

Blue duck (Hymenolaimus malacorhynchos)

Brown teal (New Zealand teal) (Anas chlorotis (Syn.: Anas aucklandica chlorotis))

Morepork (New Zealand Boobook) (Ninox novaeseelandiae)

New Zealand pigeon (Kereru) (Hemiphaga novaeseelandiae)

New Zealand scaup (Aythya novaeseelandiae)

Northern brown kiwi (North Island brown kiwi) (Apteryx mantelli (Syn.: Apteryx australis mantelli))

Tui (Prosthemadera novaeseelandiae)


Island Bay Marine Education Centre-Bait House Aquarium



Staglands Wildlife Reserve & Café

Australasian swamphen (Black-backed swamphen) (Porphyrio porphyrio melanotus (Syn.: Porphyrio melanotus))

Blue duck (Hymenolaimus malacorhynchos)

Brown teal (New Zealand teal) (Anas chlorotis (Syn.: Anas aucklandica chlorotis))

Grey teal (Australian grey teal) (Anas gracilis (Syn.: Anas gibberifrons gracilis))

New Zealand pigeon (Kereru) (Hemiphaga novaeseelandiae)

New Zealand scaup (Aythya novaeseelandiae)

North Island weka (Gallirallus australis greyi (Syn.: Gallirallus australis earli))

Red-crowned parakeet (Red-fronted parakeet) (Cyanoramphus novaezelandiae)

Redpoll (No species or subspecies status) (Acanthis flammea (Syn.: Carduelis flammea)

Short-finned eel (Australian shortfinned eel) (Anguilla australis)


Pūkaha National Wildlife Centre

Blue duck (Hymenolaimus malacorhynchos)

Malherbe`s parakeet (Orange-fronted parakeet) (Cyanoramphus malherbi)

New Zealand bellbird (Anthornis melanura)

New Zealand pigeon (Kereru) (Hemiphaga novaeseelandiae)

Northern brown kiwi (North Island brown kiwi) (Apteryx mantelli (Syn.: Apteryx australis mantelli))

Red-crowned parakeet (Red-fronted parakeet) (Cyanoramphus novaezelandiae)

Shore dotterel (Thinornis novaeseelandiae)

South Island takahe (Porphyrio hochstetteri (Syn.: Notornis hochstetteri))

Tuatara (Northern tuatara) (Sphenodon punctatus)

Wellington green gecko (New Zealand barking gecko) (Naultinus punctatus)


Zealandia Te Māra a Tāne

Australian great cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo novaehollandiae)

Brown teal (New Zealand teal) (Anas chlorotis (Syn.: Anas aucklandica chlorotis))

Gray's sticky-toed gecko (New Zealand forest gecko) (Mokopirirakau granulatus (Syn.: Hoplodactylus granulatus))

Hamilton's frog (Brown new zealand frog) (Maud Island frog) (Leiopelma hamiltoni (Syn: Leiopelma pakeka))

Hihi (Notiomystis cincta)

Little Shag (Phalacrocorax melanoleucos brevirostris)


Little spotted kiwi (Apteryx owenii)

New Zealand bellbird (Anthornis melanura)

New Zealand pigeon (Kereru) (Hemiphaga novaeseelandiae)

North Island Robin (Petroica longipes)

North Island saddleback (Philesturnus rufusater (Syn.: Creadion carunculatus rufusater))

Pied shag (Phalacrocorax varius varius)

Red-crowned parakeet (Red-fronted parakeet) (Cyanoramphus novaezelandiae)

Rifleman (Acanthisitta chloris)

South Island takahe (Porphyrio hochstetteri (Syn.: Notornis hochstetteri))

Tuatara (Northern tuatara) (Sphenodon punctatus)

Tui (Prosthemadera novaeseelandiae)

Wellington green gecko (New Zealand barking gecko) (Naultinus punctatus)

Whitehead (Mohoua albicilla)


Some of these sites are at risk of being eliminated, not for lack of an interesting collection, but simply because of their geographical distance from the rest of the itinerary, although this remains to be determined.

I look forward to your advice, now that you know which species interest me from each location.
 
Auckland Zoo makes a great introduction to the wildlife of New Zealand with their native species complex. The walk-through kea aviary is particularly delightful if you happen to be there for a keeper talk. We had a kea land about 2 feet away from us. The Auckland museum has a terrific natural history section too with dioramas of ecosystems, displays of almost all the native wildlife, and a life-size recreation of a South Island moa (as tall as a medium-sized giraffe).
 
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Kiwi Park no longer holds Black Stilt; they possibly have Auckland Green Gecko but it was not on display when I visited in January. Their Australasian Swamphen is free-roaming, so might be hard to find.

Wellington Zoo no longer holds Maud Island Frog, and does not have captive Tūī, but wild Tūī are often easy to see on the zoo grounds.

Ngā Manu does not currently hold captive Australasian Swamphen or Tūī, but both species can be seen in the wild on the reserve's grounds.

Staglands no longer holds North Island Weka. While they do have Redpoll (birds in NZ are Acanthis flammea cabaret) signed in an aviary there, I have never seen the taxon at Staglands myself.

Australian Great Cormorant are infrequent at Zealandia. Wild Whitehead are also present on Tiritiri Matangi, in case you are still considering a visit to there.
 
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