The Gannet Colony at Cape Kidnappers
Bird lovers love Cape Kidnappers. The gannet reserve there is rare in ornithological circles as it contains the largest and most accessible mainland gannet colony in the world. Known to the Maori as Takapu, the gannet is usually an island breeder but has made a notable exception at Cape Kidnappers on the East Coast of the North Island.

Nothing will quite prepare you for the experience that awaits, administered by the Department of Conservation, this area presents a special, up close opportunity to observe the Gannet in its natural environment. The Gannet, a member of the Booby family, is related to the families of shags, pelicans and frigate-birds. Adult Australasian Gannets have a wing span of up to 2 metres and an average weight of 2kgs. Whilst ungainly on land, these birds are designed for graceful flying and diving from great heights into the sea to catch fish. As the birds are migratory, the first trip for the new chicks is to Australia where they stay for 2 - 3 years before they return to New Zealand to live..