ELTIPS AV R T

You’d be forgiven for immediately picturing the furry fruit, or a New Zealand native.

But the kiwi nickname, commonly used to refer to people from the home of rugby’s All Blacks, actually comes from the country’s national symbol, its endangered bird.

The North Island’s city of Rotorua is renowned for its magical geothermal activity and expansive lakes.

But during my trip to the enchanting tourism hub, I discovered the nation’s rich wildlife history at the biggest kiwi sanctuary in the world, Rainbow Springs Nature Park.

The flightless bird, with its distincstinctive beak, has seen its population ation decline by 99 per cent in 80 years, ears, with just 20,000 left in the world. ld.

A dedicated team of scientiststists and conservationists, led by charity Kiwis for Kiwi, has beenn working tirelessly to preserve and protect the species.

I went on a fascinating tour of the kiwi nursery and hatchery,ry, where the public can see each ach stage a chick goes through beforeore being released into the wild.

Watching one of the precious ious eggs vibrate in its cosy incubatoror as the unborn chick stirred was a truly impressive moment. Just a stone’s one’s throw away from the sanctuary, thrill-seekers can get their adrenaline fix at Skyline Rotorua, where I sped through the air at 150mph on a stomach-churning skyswing, and zoomed through the scenic Mount Ngongotaha reserve on a zipwire.

If you’re not feeling up to quite that much adventure – I’m glad I turned down the full English at breakfast – the impressive familyfriendly complex also offers panoramic views of Lake Rotorua, the island’s second-largest lake.

Other activities at the centre include scenic rides in the gondola cabins, whizzing around the complex in a luge cart. Or if you’re feeling particularly energetic, mountain biking through the Gravity Park.

But no trip to the other side of the world is complete without witnessing first- hand the Taupo Volcanic Zone.

Just a short drive from Rotorua, the unique Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland is one of the most magical experiences in the world.

The centre’s Champagne Pool, one of its most famous hot springs, has a dizzying array of colourful ponds, bubbling mud, steaming rocks and volcanic craters.

It almost feels as if you’ve been transported to a sci-fi movie set, not a natural phenomenon sculpted over thousands of years. An equally aweinspiring sight is just a half-hour drive away at Whakarewarewa Forest, where enormous redwood trees tower over the woodland.

Thanks to a pathway suspended TAUPO is within driving distance of the sanctuary, and is famous for its beautiful Lake Taupo – Australasia’s largest. A skydive over the lake is one of the best in the world, costing £151 for 45 seconds of freefall from 12,000ft. RUB shoulders with the friendly locals along Amohia Street, lined with bars and restaurants. Abracadabra serves amazing tapas and cocktails. SYDNEY is just a three-hour flight from Auckland and will costs less than £100 if you book early. between the greenery, visitors can walk among the majestic 110-yearold trees in all their 70ft glory.

The forest is the perfect playground for a range of sports if you’re feeling fit and we spotted plenty of runners and cyclists on its trails.

After all that adventure we finally got to see the kiwi bird in its natural habitat. As part of a new Old Mout’s campaign to help Kiwis for Kiwi, I joined BBC Really Wild show presenter Michaela Strachan in the forests of Wairakei in nearby Taupo.

The sanctuary serves as a kiwi crèche, thanks to a 5km-long pestproof fence warding off predators.

I was able to scramble up into the woods with a conservationist ranger (make sure to pack your walking boots) to witness the intense skill, patience and dedication needed to track and preserve the bird in its natural environment.

And thanks to the work of the conservationists, tourists can now see the kiwis for themselves – unimaginable just a few years ago.

Fly to Auckland with Virgin Atlantic & Air New Zealand from £700. Stay at The Regent of Rotorua from £122 per night, regentrotorua.co.nz. A day pass to Rainbow Springs Nature Park costs £21, rainbowsprings.co.nz. Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland costs £18 (kids free) waiotapu.co. nz. Skyline activities from £16, skyline.co.nz. For more about the kiwi project, visit kiwisforkiwi.org.

FACTFILE