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Visit NZ's ONLY Kōtuku, White Heron Nesting Colony!
Kia ora! We're the Arnolds
We are a fifth-generation Whataroa family and the proud owners and operators of White Heron Sanctuary Tours, established in 1987.
As a small family business, securing our long-term, exclusive concession from the Department of Conservation stands as a significant achievement.
It is a testament to our dedication to conservation and our commitment to providing an outstanding, unforgettable nature experience for all visitors.
As long-standing Kaitiaki for the magnificent Kōtuku, we are passionate and deeply devoted to the protection of this beautiful bird and its unique nesting environment.
Guided by the principles of Kaitiakitanga we uphold the values of conservation and responsible tourism, in all that we do.
We look forward to welcoming you one day soon.
ONE and Only
White Heron Tour
We are honoured and privileged to be the original and only tour company permitted to access the Waitangiroto Nature Reserve and New Zealand's only White Heron nesting site.
With 38 years of experience, we offer an authentic and memorable birdwatching experience, providing visitors with the opportunity to observe the Kōtuku - one of Aotearoa's most endangered native birds - nesting in the wild.
Guiding both local and international visitors to this sacred breeding ground is a privilege we never take for granted. Witnessing the extraordinary sight of the majestic Kōtuku nesting in their natural habitat is a shared highlight of every tour.
EXCLUSIVE Guided
Tour & Access
As the sole tour operator to the Waitangiroto Nature Reserve and the Kōtuku breeding ground, we have made significant private investment in the infrastructure that enables visitor access. All work is carefully designed to minimise environmental impact at every step.
As a small, family-owned business, we privately fund, construct, and are fully responsible for the ongoing maintenance of the access roads, walking tracks, and viewing areas used during our tours.
Our unwavering commitment ensures safe, reliable access, while enhancing the overall White Heron Sanctuary Tour experience for our visitors.
MONitoring &
predator control
For over 30 years, as a private company, we have been actively managing predator control in and around the Waitangiroto Nature Reserve.
We manage a network of 200 humane traps targeting introduced predators such as possums, stoats, rats, and mice - species that, if left unchecked, pose a significant threat not only to the White Heron and other birdlife but also to the health of this unique ecosystem.
In partnership with the Department of Conservation, we closely monitor and record nesting information for the breeding Kōtuku and other birds we observe at the nesting site and within the Waitangiroto Nature Reserve.
Our Commitment to Sustainable Tourism
Each visit to the Waitangiroto Nature Reserve offers an opportunity to deepen our appreciation for the Kōtuku.
As a Department of Conservation concession holder, we adhere to strict environmental standards and approval processes. We are committed to sustainable tourism —limiting tours, group sizes, practising ethical birdwatching, and checking predator trap lines during tours to reduce unnecessary travel and minimise our carbon impact.
We love what we do and are 100% committed to our mahi with the Kōtuku. We know how fortunate we are to enjoy these 'office views' and to have the privilege of sharing them.
Through our tours, we raise awareness about the importance of conservation, particularly for the vulnerable White Heron, its Sanctuary, and its long-term survival in New Zealand.
