Ngā Manu Nature Reserve
Ngā Manu Nature Reserve is a nature and wildlife reserve in Waikanae, New Zealand, on the Kāpiti Coast of the North Island. In addition to offering a sanctuary for native birds and other animals, the reserve preserves the largest remnant of coastal lowland swamp forest on the Kāpiti Coast. Ngā Manu contains aviaries housing native birds such as kākā, kākāriki, scaup, whio and kea, enclosures with tuatara, and a nocturnal house with kiwi and morepork. Bird life in the reserve comprises up to 60 different bird species, the most visible being common local birds such as kererū, tūī, black swan, paradise duck and pūkeko. The reserve is not surrounded by a pest-exclusion fence, and as a result the native bush area of the reserve does not host any critically endangered animals, however, Ngā Manu is regularly involved in wider conservation efforts and breeding programmes. History Ngā Manu has been managed by the charitable Ngā Manu Trust since 1974 and opened to the public in 1981. The site was chosen as it had a large remnant of coastal lowland swamp forest and was purchased by founding trustees Peter McKenzie, Prof. John Salmon and David Mudge with part of an inheritance from