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Stir up something new inside. Come with us and experience nature in New Zealand's south. A realisation, a different perspective, a connection.
When you experience the wonder of nature with us, you're on your way to seeing the world through new eyes. We've been exploring energetic places in New Zealand's South Island with guests since 1954, and we're proud to still stoke your energy today. Read more about our own journey here - https://www.realnz.com/en/about-us/our-story/
Come to life with us in:
šæPÄtea Doubtful Sound
šæPiopiotahi Milford Sound
šæTe Anau
šæWhakatipu WaimÄori Queenstown
šæWalter Peak High Country Farm
šæRakiura Stewart Island
28/09/2026
There are fewer than 30 breeding pairs of pukunui, the New Zealand southern dotterel, left on Rakiura Stewart Island. They nest on the ground, which means stoats, rats, possums and feral cats can reach the eggs with ease.
Earlier this year, 1% of every RealNZ adventure booked online in a set window went straight to protecting them, funding habitat protection and predator control on Rakiura in partnership with DOC, right where the remaining pairs are.
Thirty pairs is a number you could count in an afternoon. It only grows one nest at a time.
To everyone who carried Lilā Puku, voted for him, and followed along - thank you.
He just finished a trip most of us will never make, from Cape Reinga to Fiordland - hitched through Northland, riding shotgun on great adventures and turning up in places nobody expected. Handed from person to person, all the way south. That was you.
Lilā Puku was always standing in for something bigger. From 2028, RealNZ is helping translocate real kiwi pukupuku to Ao-ata-te-pÅ Cooper Island, a decade of predator trapping and a partnership with DOC and Te RÅ«nanga o NgÄi Tahu, now finally paying off with a home ready for them.
Lilā Pukuās journey is done. Theirs is about to start, watch this space.
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23/09/2026
After nearly three weeks on the road from the tippy top of Cape Reinga, Lilā Puku has arrived at Ao-ata-te-pÅ / Cooper Island. š„
He made it the only way he could, carried, leg by leg, by strangers who picked him up and passed him on.Ā
But this is the easy part. Lilā Puku got here in three weeks and for RealNZ, this has been a decade-long journey. We took over the trapping programme on this island back in 2015, working to a point where one day it could become home to some of our most treasured species.
Ā
From 2028, that dream becomes a reality. Kiwi pukupuku will be translocated here, to Tamatea Dusky Sound, the first move for this species outside a fully-fenced sanctuary, made possible by iwi and DOC collaboration, and a decade of getting the whenua ready.
Lilā Pukuās trip is done, but theirs is just about to start.
21/09/2026
How lucky is Lilā Puku, cruising Lake Whakatipu aboard the TSS Earnslaw and stopping in to soak up the spring delights of Walter Peak.Ā
Only approx 160 kmās (as the crow flies) separating him from Fiordland now - heās getting seriously close! Voting has officially wrapped for Bird of the Year 2026 and while kiwi pukupuku did not win, we have raised some serious awareness for the Kiwi Pukupuku Translocation Project, which was always the real point of this journey.Ā Ā
šø Zack Wang
Lilā Pukuās first powder day š„¹
Our mates at Cardrona Alpine Resort welcomed Lilā Puku the best way they know how: sunshine, pow laps and fine hospitality š
Heās so close to Fiordland now, and the final days of voting are upon us! Tag someone who hasnāt voted kiwi pukupuku. Link in bio š
How good is good will ae!? And itās FREEE!! āļøš³šæš„
Abit of a side quest for the lads while being down in Christchurch filming activations and challenges promoting latest fundraiser being the āuncomfortable challengeā kicking off October 1st.
// the fellas got it done! š«±š¼āš«²š½
This you could say, is another form of getting uncomfortable, saying yes to a challenge presented infront of you. Then needing to trust and ask help of strangers to get the job done.
As a wise man once said // said āyouād be surprised just how many strangers are on your side, more than you think. Youāve just got to make that connectionā and heās 100% correct as & conversed with pilots directing us in the right place to connect with legend Mark here.
Mark then agreed to take Puku to Queenstown where the .newzealand team would pick him up for the last leg to Fiordland.
How goods GOODWILL & getting uncomfortable. Personal growth is just on the other side of those actions. Team work makes a dream work!
COMMENT āchallengeā to learn more and sign up! Join the movement, make change, lead by doing. šŖš¼ā¤ļøāš„š£ļø
Itās been two weeks since Lilā Puku hit the road, and heās not far from Fiordland now!
Ā
Heās been doing the leg work. Now we need YOU to vote for the kiwi pukupuku in the Bird of the Year š„
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Vote now at birdoftheyear.org.nz via link in bio, and donāt forget to check your email and validate your vote once youāve cast it, otherwise it wonāt count!
Ā
Part 1 with Lil Puku!! Missions on fella how goood was catching up with our new mates at DIPPERS!
Absolute legends and great chats incoming from a couple of 84 years young individuals that know how to stay well. Swimming every morning at 7am all year for the past 5-10 years + chats with Liana ā¦ as inspiring as it gets really!!
Now Puku letās get you to Wanaka š³šæš«±š¼āš«²š½
Check out who we just found at Duck Island Ice Cream in Christchurch tonight!! š„
Itās soo classic how stuff like this happens by just following yah nose. We had no idea the fella was here until the crew chatted to the team behind the counter.
Missions on Lil Puku letās get you to Wanaka mateee š³šæš«±š¼āš«²š½
14/09/2026
Can you help Lil' Puku get to Wanaka? He's currently in Christchurch and needs a lift south to WÄnaka over the next couple of days.
Heading that way, or know someone who is? Tag them below and help him on the next leg of his journey! š
Follow Lil' Puku's full journey and vote Kiwi Pukupuku / Little Spotted Kiwi for Bird of the Year 2026!
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RealNZ Visitor Centre, Steamer Wharf, 93 Beach Street
Queenstown
9300
Opening Hours
| Monday | 6:30am - 8pm |
| Tuesday | 6:30am - 8pm |
| Wednesday | 6:30am - 8pm |
| Thursday | 6:30am - 8pm |
| Friday | 6:30am - 8pm |
| Saturday | 6:30am - 8pm |
| Sunday | 6:30am - 8pm |
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