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A great place to see lots of variety of fish, the feeding eels was an awesome experience right up close, they are so gentle! Catch n release koura (small crayfish) was so cool! And seeing the kiwi right up close was very special. Our 6yr old loved it. The staff were so friendly and knowledgeable. We spent around 1.5hrs here.
Didn’t mind supporting The Kiwi Centre on our brief stop through Hokitika and the team of staff was just an exceptional bunch, but I’m not sure how I feel about some of the activities here. To entice visitors, there’s eel fishing that you can partake in and also crayfish catching (you have to release them back after). The eel fishing is a monitored process so it isn’t too bad, although it’s quite a sight for some if you can’t stomach a lot of eels bobbing up and down fighting for food. Crayfish catching (then releasing) felt like quite a cruel activity since the crustaceans would no doubt be stressed with the whole event. It would be better if there’s staff monitoring or signs to warn visitors to be gentle with them. Saw some kids and adults touching them carelessly and also just throwing them back to the water from a height. Poor crayfishes! We did have fun though and even stayed here for a good 2 hours or so. Of course, we also saw the two kiwis there and loved the experience.
Had a great time here. Looks like covid might have caused some delays in some maintenance, but we had a great time regardless. Kids were very exciting with the catch and release activity as well as seeing active kiwi running around eating. Wasn't too badly priced either
Fantastic place visit. Informative guide at feeding eels and kiwis. Giant eels can live up to 100-130 years. Children fishing area. They are big. A must visit.
Absolutely loved this place it shows the truth behind our New Zealand Wonders and national treasures great educated Staff warm and welcoming hut sadly (This place shows its age) and the significant impacts Covid and the lack of tourism has had on the space we are very blessed in New Zealand to have such beautiful places I wish we would have spent more time here however unfortunately there was an incident that required us to leave sooner than we would have liked this is a treasure trove of oppourtunity to teach and guide you through New Zealand wildlife and protect our native species. There's so much here to enjoy it can take form 30mins to really enjoying the whole day here eel feeding cray catching "catch and release" this area is especially important to keep a close eye on your children and those who are balance impaired read everything before entering this area. There is water and we are an island nation water safety is especially important in New Zealand. 1:1 ratio crucial. Some additional barriers would be a great safety improvement but aside from this the staff are amazing.and well knowledgeable you may find some sneaky critters in the wrong place haha. We spotted a freshwater cray in the goldfish tank as soon as we walked in. That was funny. We do hope to head back here and revel in the experience again. After our incident the staff member at the desk was more than amazing. And my daughter hasn't stopped wearing her wee green top since and hopes to come back. I think she's holding on to that memory. And they will have their wee kiwis and photos forever. Although it was an absolutely terrifying experience for our family. The staff made it all that more comfortable to feel life is all ok. I lived the eel feeding informative talk I thought I knew enough about eels living in Christchurch and often wandering along the Avon River and heading to Willow Bank. Feeding the eels but I didn't know that the females become sterile and re-absorb their eggs and stay in NZ instead of heading back to reproduce or that the male eels will poison themselves if they don't head away to breed. Amazing that would tell us that the 100+ year olds in the Avon would suggestively be female.
