Ngā Manu Nature Reserve is a 14-hectare wildlife sanctuary at 74 Ngā Manu Reserve Road, Waikanae, on the Kāpiti Coast. It has been managed since 1974 by the Ngā Manu Trust, a charitable non-profit dedicated to education, conservation and the preservation of New Zealand's native flora and fauna, and opened to the public in 1981. The reserve protects one of the largest remaining remnants of coastal lowland swamp forest on the Kāpiti Coast. It is open 10am–5pm daily, except 25 December, and is accredited by the Zoo and Aquarium Association.
### The corporate offer
Ngā Manu markets a corporate experience package aimed at company days out, workshops, retreats and team outings. Groups explore the reserve's habitats, take part in hands-on conservation activities and join guided tours highlighting native flora and fauna. Ranger talks and team-building exercises sit alongside the walking programme, with the stated aim of building teamwork while promoting environmental stewardship. Bookable experiences that can be layered into a corporate day include the Kiwi Night Encounter, the Native Bird Close Encounter (kākā, kea, kākāriki and whio), the Kiwi Icons Tour covering kiwi, tuatara and tuna (eels), a Ranger Experience and a three-hour small-group photography tour. The reserve's events brochure also lists private tuna talks, guided bush walks and BBQ Island hire.
### Venue and capacity
Robin's Nest is the reserve's purpose-built function centre, set beside a pond and surrounded by bush. It has space for up to 90 guests and includes a large deck and private lawn, making it workable for structured presentations, breakout sessions, seminars and informal gatherings. Overnight accommodation is limited: Theo's Cottage, at the edge of the main pond, sleeps up to four and includes access to the conservation area after dark.
### Suitability for business events
Ngā Manu suits half-day and full-day team-building programmes, conservation-themed CSR activity, incentive add-ons and small offsite meetings for groups up to around 90 — a genuinely useful option for Wellington and Kāpiti conferences wanting a nature-based session with a conservation payoff, since spend supports the trust's work. Larger delegate numbers would need to be split across sessions.
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