Arthur’s Pass
Arthur’s Pass National Park has some of the best nativebirdwatching in New Zealand. Scotts Track to Avalanche Peak is a prime location to find kea in the alpine environment. You’ll see them soaring above the ridgeline, and a few may come to say hello if you stop for a break on the tops. Remember not to feed them, though.

Keep an eye out for whio (blue duck) on the Ōtira Valley Track or in the Mingha Valley above the biv.
Roroa (great spotted kiwi) can be heard in the Bealey Valley. Keep an ear out in the first two hours after dark.

On the way to Temple Basin, watch for pairs of pīwauwau/rock wren. Along the Craigieburn Nature Trail you’ll find korimako/bellbirds, miromiro/tomtits and riroriro/grey warblers.

Pureora Forest Park
Just west of Taupō is a forest park with a multitude of short day walks ranging from 1km to 5.2km.
Pick your walk and look out for North Island kōkako, kākā, yellow-crowned kākāriki, North Island robins and tītīpounamu/rifleman.

Rakiura Stewart Island

Rakiura is a haven for birdlife not easily seen in other places in New Zealand. There’s tīeke/South Island saddleback, mohua/yellowhead and kākā. Tokoeka/southern brown kiwi can also be spotted during the day.

Mangawhai Cliffs Walkway, Northland

With views to the Coromandel Peninsula and Great Barrier Aotea Island on the horizon, keep a lookout for kererū and kākā, visitors from the offshore islands.

Motukiore Island Walk, Whangārei area

Cross to this recreation reserve during low tide where there are tara iti/New Zealand fairy terns and tōrea pango/oystercatchers.