New Zealand
New Zealand's evolutionary isolation produced extraordinary endemics: the flightless kiwi, kea (the world's only alpine parrot), and the critically endangered kakapo. Zealandia and Tiritiri Matangi are flagship sanctuaries.
Recorded Species
360
Hotspots
60
Overview
Detailed habitat intelligence, species counts, and seasonal guidance will appear here as data is added to this region.
Hotspot Map
60 mapped locations · click a pin to exploreTop Hotspots
Abel Tasman NP--Marahau Estuary
Birding Hotspot
Ambury Regional Park (general)
Birding Hotspot
Ambury Regional Park--Shell Island
Birding Hotspot
Ambury Regional Park--Viewing Hide shellbank
Birding Hotspot
Aramoana Mole/Harbour Entrance
Birding Hotspot
Aramoana--Spit Rd
Birding Hotspot
Ashley Estuary south end
Birding Hotspot
Ashley River (Rakahuri) Estuary
Birding Hotspot
Awarua Bay--Eastern end
Birding Hotspot
Birdlings Flat--beach and inshore waters
Birding Hotspot
Cook Strait Ferry (Open Ocean Section)
Birding Hotspot
Fiordland NP--Milford Sound (General)
Birding Hotspot
Foveaux Strait (Stewart Island Ferry)
Birding Hotspot
Foxton Beach--Manawatu estuary (general)
Birding Hotspot
Gulf Harbour to Tiritiri Matangi ferry
Birding Hotspot
Hauraki Gulf Pelagic
Birding Hotspot
Kaikoura Bay
Birding Hotspot
Kaikoura Peninsula (general)
Birding Hotspot
Kaikoura Peninsula Walkway
Birding Hotspot
Kaikoura--offshore--Albatross Encounter pelagic (general)
Birding Hotspot
Kaikoura--Point Kean Seal Colony
Birding Hotspot
Kaikoura--South Bay Reserve
Birding Hotspot
Kapiti Island--general
Birding Hotspot
Lake Ellesmere (Te Waihora)--Embankment Road
Birding Hotspot
Lake Ellesmere(Te Waihora)--Wolfe's Road Bay
Birding Hotspot
Little Waihi estuary
Birding Hotspot
Maketu Estuary
Birding Hotspot
Manawatu Estuary--spit/Dawick St platform
Birding Hotspot
Mangere WTP & mudflats (general)
Birding Hotspot
Mangere WTP--main holding pond
Birding Hotspot
Mangere WTP--Puketutu Canal
Birding Hotspot
Mangere--Traffic Lights Bay
Birding Hotspot
Manukapua/Big Sand Island (general)
Birding Hotspot
Manukau Harbour--Kidd's Shellbanks (restricted access)
Birding Hotspot
Matata Lagoons & beach
Birding Hotspot
Milford Sound--by boat
Birding Hotspot
Miranda Shorebird Centre (Hides, ponds, and general area)
Birding Hotspot
Miranda--'Stilt Hide' & pools
Birding Hotspot
Miranda--main hide/Limeworks
Birding Hotspot
Miranda--Ray's Rest/Taramaire Creek mouth
Birding Hotspot
Motueka Sandspit - Quay Entrance
Birding Hotspot
Mount Maunganui--Mauao (The Mount)
Birding Hotspot
Muriwai Gannet Colony
Birding Hotspot
Napier--Ahuriri Estuary (general)
Birding Hotspot
Nugget Point
Birding Hotspot
Paterson Inlet (General)
Birding Hotspot
Piako Wader Roost (& adjacent paddocks/mangroves)
Birding Hotspot
Rakiura NP--Ulva Island
Birding Hotspot
Sandspit
Birding Hotspot
Shakespear Regional Park (general)
Birding Hotspot
Stewart Island--east coast pelagic waters
Birding Hotspot
Stewart Island--Oban & Halfmoon Bay
Birding Hotspot
Stewart Island--Titi Islands Pelagic (general)
Birding Hotspot
Taiaroa Head--Royal Albatross Centre
Birding Hotspot
Tawharanui Regional Park
Birding Hotspot
Tawharanui Regional Park--Mangatawhiri Track
Birding Hotspot
Tiritiri Matangi Scientific Reserve
Birding Hotspot
Waikanae Estuary--General
Birding Hotspot
Waipu Wildlife Refuge
Birding Hotspot
Waituna Lagoon
Birding Hotspot
Guided Experiences
Explore with a local expert
Request curated guided birding options for New Zealand — matched to your dates, species targets, and experience level.
Request Guided ExperienceBest Time to Visit
"November–January at Stewart Island is the best time for Brown Kiwi nocturnal tours; October–February delivers Yellow-eyed Penguin breeding on the Otago Peninsula."
Species Guide
🐦 Birds of New Zealand
Iconic species profiles with conservation status, where to find them, and best timing.
View Species Guide →