We have closed down our wildlife centre.
Located in the beautiful Marlborough province near Blenheim, Koru Native Wildlife Centre specialises in breeding and raising some of New Zealand’s threatened native species and growing native plants to provide a natural biodiversity for the wildlife and a cleaner and healthier environment for all of us to live in.
Come and meet the Creepy, Crawly and the Sassy
Visit us at our Grovetown base for a rare chance to see our fascinating creepy Giant Weta, crawly Geckos and sassy brightly coloured Yellow Crowned Kākāriki, up close, and learn more about them.
We provide personal guided experiences by appointment for your group, family or school. Book your visit to learn fascinating facts about our native animals and find out about the efforts to restore their natural habitats, in a friendly and relaxed setting.
Koru Native Wildlife Centre is operated by the charitable Tui Nature Wildlife Trust. Your hosts, Brian and Ellen Plaisier, have a long history of restoring native habitat in Marlborough, and more recently in native animal husbandry.
We are passionate about New Zealand’s incredible biodiversity and will provide a genuine, personal insight to the efforts being made to restore our stunning natural environment.
Our animals
We are permitted by the Department of Conservation to breed and raise Yellow Crowned Kākāriki and Giant Wētā. At Koru Native Wildlife Centre, you can learn about our breeding programme, the life cycle of the animals, where they live and what they eat, while seeing them up close.
Some of the animals bred at Koru Native Wildlife Centre are released into carefully chosen wild areas, as permitted by the Department of Conservation. These areas have had extensive pest management and control, giving them a greater chance of survival.
Growing a super dense forest as fast as possible
Autumn 2023 will be the start of a whole new chapter for the Trust. On a paddock (about 4000 square metre) next to the wildlife centre we will start growing a super dense forest in the fastest possible way. This will not only create a forest in a matter of just a few years but will also provide excellent shelter for the native wildlife such as geckos and skinks.
Native plants & plant establishment sale - if you are keen to grow natives in your garden we are happy to help out with your plant selection.
The Grovetown Lagoon
Koru Native Wildlife Centre is located a few minutes from the Grovetown Lagoon. This beautiful oxbow lake was formed around 1860 and is now in the process of being restored. You can walk the easy track in about 45 minutes and the lagoon makes a perfect place for a picnic. We definitely recommend a visit before or after your tour with us.
Be one of the lucky few to experience an up-close and personal encounter with these rare creatures.