The National Aquarium of New Zealand

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+64 (0)6 834 1404
+64 (0)6 833 7631 (fax)

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546 Marine Parade
Napier

 

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The National Aquarium of New Zealand in Napier opened early in 2002. It is as close to the ocean as you can be to the waters edge without getting your feet wet. See sharks, stingray, hundreds of fish species & more!

The magnificent architectural design imitates the form of a stingray, while the glistening Pacific Ocean constantly laps the shoreline. The aquarium, with its unique position on the edge of the Pacific Ocean, has a wider range of species than any other similar facility in New Zealand.

The National Aquarium has a reef tank, a travelator which spirals its way beneath the enormous Oceanarium, creating the impression of a true underwater experience, and a typical New Zealand rocky shore environment. There are sharks, stingray and hundreds of fish species, many of them representative of the catches from along the East Coast. There are  eels, trout, sea horse, turtles, octopus, tropical marine fish, kiwi, tuatara, water dragons, native frogs and crocodile  also on display.
 

Behind the Scenes Daily Tours

• Fancy a blue-tongued skink climbing up your arm, or maybe peering at sharks from on top of the huge ocean tank?
• Want to touch a turtle, or see a fish that normally lives 124m underwater? It is all possible with a 'behind the scenes' tour.
• The tour includes: close encounters with animals; preparing food; feeding different creatures inspections of, and explanations about, some of the sophisticated aquarium equipment.  The divers act as personal guides, taking people around all the normal viewing areas open to the public, describing each species of fish during feeding time and describing other exhibits. Tours commence at 9am and 1pm, or by arrangement, and will take approximately one hour. Tours can be tailored to suit each request - talk to us about arranging a tour to suit your personal interests.

Groups
The aquarium hosts school groups, tour groups, birthday parties, sleepovers, and has function facilities.

Souvenir Shop
There is a themed souvenir shop, public car parking nearby, disabled parking and access, unique function facilities and the aquarium is within easy walking distance from the centre of the city.

Opening Times

The National Aquarium of New Zealand is open 7 days a week from 9:00am-5:00pm

Closed Christmas Day