Be part of this conservation celebration – join in the unique opportunity to meet a Coromandel brown kiwi before the team from Rotoroa Island Trust release the chicks to their new home on Rotoroa Island!
Rotoroa Island is one of a number of predator-free islands in the Hauraki Gulf but is the only one that acts as a creche for North Island Brown kiwi from the Coromandel. Kiwi left in the wild have about a 5% survival rate, so we’re part of the national kiwi recovery programme to help give young kiwi chicks the best chance possible. By releasing kiwi chicks to our safe island environment, the survival rate is brought up to 65%.
Day Plan
Note there are two ferries running to Rotoroa Island on this date, the first departing Auckland at 10am and the second departing Auckland at 12pm. Both ferries mean you will be able to see the kiwi chick release at 1:45pm.
10am – Explore Ferry departs downtown Auckland
11:20am – Ferry arrives at Rotoroa Island
11:30am – Guided Nature Walk (Bookings required)
Explore Rotoroa Island (if not on Guided Walk)
1:15pm Midday Explore Ferry arrives at Rotoroa Island
1:45pm – Short welcome and introduction to kiwi chick (Exhibition Centre, Home Bay)
Explore the island’s walking tracks or go for a swim at one of Rotoroa’s stunning beaches.
4:25pm – Ferry departs Rotoroa Island, arriving in Auckland at 5:35pm.
Getting to Rotoroa Island
Explore ferry departs Auckland from the Explore Booking Kiosk in Viaduct Harbour to Rotoroa Island. The trip takes about 75 minutes.
Release event is FREE, but usual ferry ticket pricing applies. There are limited seats on the ferry, so get in quick! Boaties are of course welcome too!
Photo credit: Abi Donovan
