1 active Westland Tai Poutini alert
- CautionActive landslide zones on Copland TrackDo not stop in either of Copland Track’s signposted active landslide zones; take extra care during and after heavy rain.Official details
Overview
About Waitangiroto White Heron Colony
Why stop
- A rare chance to see New Zealand’s only white-heron breeding colony.
Heads up
- Access is limited to a booked, scheduled guided tour.
Map
Where it is
Loading the Westland Tai Poutini map
Full mapPlan your stop
Before you go
The highest, rockiest slopes around here are a summer buffet for grizzly bears.
Westland Tai Poutini Tour Guide
Your drive to Waitangiroto White Heron Colony, narrated.
Parkwolf is a GPS audio tour guide for Westland Tai Poutini National Park. As you drive, it chimes in with what’s ahead: hidden gems, upcoming stops, history, geology, and wildlife, right through your car’s speakers.
See the Westland Tai Poutini audio tour- 49 audio storiesacross Westland Tai Poutini’s roads, triggered by GPS as you drive
- Wildlife heatmapsfor Kea, Blue Duck, Kererū, and 13 more
- Works offlinemaps, 31 trails, 53 places, and audio download before you lose signal
- CarPlay readysimple controls built for the drive
“Fantastic app with many points of information… It’s great to just turn on while you’re driving and it gives you an audio tour of the national Park. We love it!!!!”
Guide
More about Waitangiroto White Heron Colony
A rare wildlife visit, reached by tourWaitangiroto Nature Reserve sits on the Waitangiroto River north of Ōkārito Lagoon and protects…
Waitangiroto Nature Reserve sits on the Waitangiroto River north of Ōkārito Lagoon and protects New Zealand’s only known white-heron, or kōtuku, breeding colony. This is a guided wildlife trip rather than a roadside stop: independent entry to the reserve is not permitted. Check in with White Heron Sanctuary Tours at 64 Main Road in Whataroa; that is the tour meeting point, not the colony.
How the visit worksThe 2.
The 2.5-hour round trip starts with a minivan ride, followed by a flat 800 m walk on gravel and boardwalk through kahikatea rainforest. A covered, raised hide faces the nesting trees across a narrow river, about 20 m away. The hide has steps, so ask the operator about mobility needs before booking.
Watch the colonyKōtuku activity changes through the breeding cycle: courtship and nest building give way to…
Kōtuku activity changes through the breeding cycle: courtship and nest building give way to incubation, chick feeding and fledglings taking their first flights. Royal spoonbills and little shags nest nearby too. These are wild birds, so what is happening at the colony varies with the season.
A fragile colonyWhite herons were heavily hunted for their breeding plumes.
White herons were heavily hunted for their breeding plumes. The tour operator reports that only four nests were recorded in 1941, a sharp reminder of how vulnerable this colony has been. Its protected setting and tightly controlled access help keep disturbance low.
Plan the check-inBook ahead and arrive at least 15 minutes before your reserved departure.
Book ahead and arrive at least 15 minutes before your reserved departure. Tour dates are seasonal and shift with the breeding cycle, so confirm current colony-tour availability directly before booking. Binoculars, a spotting scope and wet-weather gear are provided; pets are not allowed. There is a portable toilet at the reserve van-parking area, and public toilets and free tour parking are near the Whataroa office. Lonely Stag Café & Store is opposite the office for coffee, food and refreshments.
Photograph the river settingThe covered hide is the place to photograph the nesting trees.
The covered hide is the place to photograph the nesting trees. Include a strip of the river beneath the canopy to show how the colony sits above the water; tighter framing can bring out the white birds against the dark green forest. The operator provides binoculars and a spotting scope for viewing as well.
Wildlife
Wildlife in Westland Tai Poutini
89 sightingsKeaMost seen around 10 AMSighting map
10 sightingsBlue DuckMost seen around 5 PMSighting map
80 sightingsKererūMost seen around 7 AMSighting map
38 sightingsTūīMost seen around 5 AMSighting map
10 sightingsNew Zealand FalconMost seen around 10 AMSighting map
28 sightingsYellow-crowned ParakeetMost seen around 8 AMSighting mapSighting maps show where each species has been reported across Westland Tai Poutini. Wildlife moves, so no sighting is guaranteed.
