Must-see aquariums and zoos with native species collections?

[biggiesmalls]

Planning a trip to New Zealand in 2022, and wanted to get some heads up on two things:

• What is the most impressive aquarium in the country?
• What is the biggest collection of native animal species in the country?

 

[Zoofan15]

Zealandia is the premier facility for native species in New Zealand in my opinion: Wildlife Sanctuary | Wellington | ZEALANDIA

That said, many of the zoos have a focus on native animals. Auckland Zoo has a whole precinct (comprising around a quarter of the zoo) which houses 60 species of native animals: Te Wao Nui – The Living Realm at Auckland Zoo in Auckland

Camouflage Keas

• Zoofan15
• 24 Jan 2021
• 1

Photo taken 23/01/2021.

Te Wao Nui - The Wetlands

• Zoofan15
• 16 Jul 2020
• 1

Photo taken 12/07/2020.

Te Wao Nui - The High Country

• Zoofan15
• 16 Jul 2020
• 1

Photo taken 12/07/2020.

Te Wao Nui - The Coast (Blue Penguin Exhibit)

• Zoofan15
• 16 Jul 2020
• 1

Photo taken 12/07/2020.

Te Wao Nui - The Coast (Fur Seal Exhibit)

• Zoofan15
• 16 Jul 2020
• 1

Photo taken 12/07/2020.

Entrance to Te Wao Nui - The Coast

• Zoofan15
• 16 Jul 2020
• 1

Photo taken 12/07/2020.

 

[Chlidonias]

Planning a trip to New Zealand in 2022, and wanted to get some heads up on two things:

• What is the most impressive aquarium in the country?
• What is the biggest collection of native animal species in the country?

There is a list of animal collections stickied at the top of the New Zealand forum, which is arranged in two ways - firstly north to south; and secondly by category (e.g. aquarium, native collection, etc).
Zoos of New Zealand

There are only two aquariums which could be considered under "most impressive" - and by North American standards neither is "impressive". Kelly Tarltons in Auckland is the larger of the two, but the National Aquarium in Napier is my favourite of the two. If you are used to "mega-aquariums" then you'd be disappointed in both, but if you are more interested in seeing NZ fish than in the size of the facility, then both are good.

The largest collection of natives is at Auckland Zoo in the section called Te Wao Nui.

 

[biggiesmalls]

There is a list of animal collections stickied at the top of the New Zealand forum, which is arranged in two ways - firstly north to south; and secondly by category (e.g. aquarium, native collection, etc).
Zoos of New Zealand

There are only two aquariums which could be considered under "most impressive" - and by North American standards neither is "impressive". Kelly Tarltons in Auckland is the larger of the two, but the National Aquarium in Napier is my favourite of the two. If you are used to "mega-aquariums" then you'd be disappointed in both, but if you are more interested in seeing NZ fish than in the size of the facility, then both are good.

The largest collection of natives is at Auckland Zoo in the section called Te Wao Nui.

I honestly prefer midsize aquariums with higher quality exhibits (think NAIB) - so sounds like the National Aquarium would be a great choice

 

[MRJ]

I enjoyed visiting Mt. Bruce, but it would not be the “biggest”.

 

[joe99]

One place I would 100% recommend is Maungatautari, Just south of Hamilton is the largest mainland island at about 3,600 hectares with 47km of predator exclusion fence around the mountain. Has a couple walks that are smaller and one large day walk though the mountain so some level of fitness is required but def worth going too