You might have heard the news about Prince Tūī Teka, the chatty tūī who went viral after saying “Hello” to some surprised visitors at Pūkaha National Wildlife Centre. The charismatic bird has built up quite a collection of phrases – including “Who said that?”, “What’s this?” and even “Hey, baby.” He now lives in the Free-Flight aviary, so you’re likely to see (and hear) him when you visit.
Prince is just one of the friendly and fascinating characters at Pūkaha. There’s also Mapuna, the famous white kiwi, who recently celebrated his 13th birthday. There was cake up at the Kākā Café, but Mapuna was too busy sitting on an egg to attend – such is the life of a dedicated kiwi dad.
Speaking of our national bird, the young kiwi chicks have recently moved into the Nocturnal House, while the previous residents – Mali, Jack, and Nova — are heading to the outdoor kiwi crèches as they prepare for eventual release into the wild.
Summer is a great time to visit Pūkaha, whether you’ve been before or not, as the reserve is buzzing with new life after the hatching season. Alongside all the new arrivals, Pūkaha will be running treasure hunts for the kids, complete with a free ice block to help cool down afterwards. With half-price entry for locals and plenty of tasty lunch options at the Kākā Café, Pūkaha is an ideal stop on a summer road trip or the perfect day out for locals.
