Pūkaha National Wildlife Centre is a not-for-profit wildlife sanctuary and visitor centre at 85379 State Highway 2 in Mount Bruce, on the border of the Tararua and Wairarapa regions. It manages an unfenced breeding sanctuary across a 942-hectare forest, and it hatches kiwi, kākā and kākāriki in its aviaries for release. Visitors can see kiwi, feed eels, walk the bush, take guided tours, and visit the Kākā Café. There are daytime and overnight education programmes at the purpose-built facility, Te Whare Taiao o Manukura.
The Junior Rangers programme runs a full day in the forest for ages 6 to 12, with lunch and a free bus from Masterton. Campervans can park during the day, and overnight sites are available with a guided tour included. There are two Type-2 EV charging stations, and visitors need their own charging cable. The centre is 30 kilometres north of Masterton and 10 kilometres south of Eketahuna, about two hours' drive from Wellington. Our pick in Mount Bruce for a walk through the forest with the kiwi.