New Zealand's Home for Birds of Prey - Rotorua
Witness the breathtaking power of New Zealand's most magnificent raptors up close at Wingspan National Bird of Prey Centre in Rotorua.
Through daily flying demonstrations, captive breeding, and world-class conservation research, we are fighting to secure the future of the threatened kārearea - the New Zealand falcon - for generations to come.
Experience the magic of the kārearea
Every visit to Wingspan is a window into the world of New Zealand's rare and extraordinary birds of prey. From the razor-sharp speed of the kārearea to the mysterious call of the ruru (morepork), our expert raptor team brings you face-to-face with nature at its finest.
Flight of the Falcon
Daily Show
Join us Tuesday to Sunday for our signature outdoor falconry experience. Watch New Zealand's rarest falcon in breathtaking free flight, and learn from New Zealand's leading raptor experts. A one-of-a-kind experience you won't find anywhere else in the country.
Meet & Greet
Experiences
Get closer than ever with an intimate Meet & Greet experience - hold a kārearea falcon or encounter a ruru morepork owl up close. Perfect for families, wildlife enthusiasts, and anyone seeking a truly unforgettable New Zealand experience.
Plan Your Visit to Wingspan
access_time
- Open Tuesday to Sunday, 11am–1pm
- Flight of the Falcon show starts 11:30am (arrive by 11am recommended)
- Meet and Greets are after Flight of the Falcon show if booked.
place
- Located at 1334 Paradise Valley Road, Ngongotahā, Rotorua.
- Less than 1km from State Highway 5, directly opposite Velocity Valley.
Our Mission: Restoring Raptors to New Zealand Skies
Wingspan Birds of Prey Trust is a registered New Zealand charitable trust dedicated to the conservation, research, and education of New Zealand's birds of prey. We are entirely funded by the generosity of visitors, members, donors, and sponsors. Every dollar raised goes directly into our hands-on conservation programmes.
Conservation That Counts
Since 1992, Wingspan has bred and released threatened falcon chicks into the wild, rehabilitated injured birds, and driven vital research. Your visit directly funds this life-saving work.
Help Us Spread Our Wings
Wingspan is funded entirely through community support. Become a member, sponsor a bird, make a donation, or volunteer your time.
Every contribution - no matter the size - makes a real difference to New Zealand's threatened raptors.
Shop the Wingspan Gift Store
From falcon-themed canvas prints and gift vouchers to soft toys and the annual birds of prey calendar - our online shop offers unique New Zealand gifts for nature lovers of all ages.
All purchases support our conservation work.
The People & Partners Behind the Birds
Wingspan exists because of extraordinary people. From our passionate raptor team and dedicated trustees to our founder Debbie Stewart MNZM and patron Ruud Kleinpaste MNZM - every person in the Wingspan whānau shares a single purpose: keeping New Zealand's birds of prey alive and thriving.
We are also deeply grateful to the organisations and businesses whose generous support makes our conservation work possible, from community trusts and energy companies to Rotorua's own tourism and forestry sectors.
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