Where takahē live

Introduction

You can meet a takahē at several sites around the country. In the wild, takahē only exist in the Murchison Mountains, Fiordland National Park and more recently Gouland Downs in Kahurangi National Park.

Highlights

Takahe Recovery logo.

Outside of the wild populations, takahē live at sanctuary sites. With the exception of the Burwood Takahē Centre, Cape Sanctuary, and two privately owned islands, sanctuary sites are open to the public.

Takahē at public sites are our ambassadors, providing opportunities for you to admire and learn more about these amazing 'pre-historic' looking birds.

Auckland Zoo takahē site

Auckland Zoo takahē site

Auckland Zoo is home to 135 different species, over 1400 animals and has the largest diversity of wildlife in Aotearoa, New Zealand.
Burwood Takahē Centre

Burwood Takahē Centre

Burwood Takahē Centre is not open to the public.
Cape Sanctuary takahē site

Cape Sanctuary takahē site

The takahē site at Cape Sanctuary is not open to the public.
Kahurangi National Park takahē site

Kahurangi National Park takahē site

Gouland Downs in Kahurangi National Park could be home to the first wild population of takahē outside their Murchison Mountain refuge. It's open to the public.
Kapiti Island takahē site

Kapiti Island takahē site

Only an hour from Wellington, the Kapiti Island Nature Reserve boasts a unique environment populated with birds and wildlife rarely seen on the mainland. It's open to the public.
Mana Island takahē site

Mana Island takahē site

This seemingly flat-topped island is a distinctive feature of Wellington's west coast and is home to about 20 takahē including 8 breeding pairs. It's open to the public.
Maungatautari Ecological Island takahē site

Maungatautari Ecological Island takahē site

Maungatautari is known as a mainland island and located in the Waikato. It's open to the public.
Murchison Mountains

Murchison Mountains

The Murchison Mountains are home to the last remaining wild population of takahē. It's not open to the public.
Orokonui Ecosanctuary takahē site

Orokonui Ecosanctuary takahē site

Orokonui Ecosanctuary is a biodiversity project in the South Island where multiple species of plants and animals are protected from predators. It's open to the public.
Pūkaha National Wildlife Centre takahē site

Pūkaha National Wildlife Centre takahē site

Pūkaha National Wildlife Centre is an unfenced sanctuary for native wildlife in the Wairarapa. It's open to the public.
Punanga Manu O Te Anau / Te Anau Bird Sanctuary takahē site

Punanga Manu O Te Anau / Te Anau Bird Sanctuary takahē site

This bird sanctuary is located in Fiordland and is open to the public.
Tāwharanui Open Sanctuary takahē site

Tāwharanui Open Sanctuary takahē site

This sanctuary is located in Auckland and is open to the public.
Tiritiri Matangi, Motutapu, Rotoroa islands takahē site

Tiritiri Matangi, Motutapu, Rotoroa islands takahē site

Located in the Hauraki Gulf these islands are open to the public.
Wairakei Golf + Sanctuary takahē site

Wairakei Golf + Sanctuary takahē site

Located in Taupō this golf course and sanctuary is open to the public.
Willowbank Wildlife Reserve takahē site

Willowbank Wildlife Reserve takahē site

Located in Christchurch this reserve is open to the public.
ZEALANDIA takahē site

ZEALANDIA takahē site

Zealandia is a world-class conservation project and attraction in Wellington, New Zealand, where the biodiversity of 225 ha of forest is being restored.
Back to top