White Heron Sanctuary Tours
Frequently Asked Questions

The Kōtuku or White Heron can be observed at their only New Zealand breeding ground in the Waitangiroto Nature Reserve during spring and summer. They typically begin returning in September, with the last birds fledging and departing in early March.

In New Zealand, the only nesting site for the White Heron, or Kōtuku is in the remote and protected Waitangiroto Nature Reserve, near Whataroa on the West Coast of the South Island. For hundreds of years, the Kōtuku have returned to this exact location to nest.

No, the Kōtuku, or White Herons, do not nest at Ōkārito or on the Ōkārito Lagoon. While the Ōkārito Lagoon is a feeding area for some White Herons during the breeding season, the ancestral and only nesting site for White Herons in New Zealand is located in the Waitangiroto Nature Reserve. This protected area is significant in its own right and is entirely separate from - and unconnected to - Ōkārito and the Ōkārito Lagoon.

During the breeding season, the colony viewing is fantastic, with consistent activity throughout the day with no particular tour time offering more action than another. The north-facing nesting site receives good light without the sun shining directly into visitors' eyes.

September, October, and early November are the ideal months to witness the White Herons in their full breeding plumage, with stunning green eye area and striking black beaks. Once the chicks begin hatching, these colours gradually fade, though most birds retain their beautiful lacy feathers throughout the nesting season.

The first Kōtuku, White Heron chicks of the nesting season typically begin hatching in early November, with hatchings occurring most days throughout November and December. This is an exciting and entertaining time at the colony.

January and February are the best months to observe the large 'teenager' chicks as they learn to fly and forage along the Waitangiroto River below the nesting site. When their parents return with food, the feedings are noisy, frenzied, and fascinating to observe.

The White Heron nesting site is approximately 20 metres from the viewing hide, which is positioned directly in front of the nesting birds, across the narrow Waitangiroto River. Kōtuku frequently fly overhead and perch nearby - either in front, beside or above - offering visitors exceptional close-up encounters.