Feed NZ's giant eels

Giant longfin eels

Get up close to some of the biggest eels in the world – and join our keeper for a feeding session.

Feeding: 10am, 12pm & 3pm daily

Keeper feeding the giant longfin eels

Meet our eels

80–110years oldOur oldest were born around the time of the First World War
20kgapprox. weightAbout as heavy as a 5-year-old child
2mup to this longAbout as long as a door is tall

Quick eel facts

All girls

The eels you'll see at the National Kiwi Centre are all female.

Slow growers

They grow only 1–2cm a year.

Feel, not see

Eels have poor eyesight, so they sense movement in the water with rows of sensors on their head.

Land travellers

Eels can slither through wet grass to get to a pond, river or lake.

Breathe through skin

As long as their skin stays moist, they can take in oxygen through it.

Found all over NZ

Longfin eels live in rivers and lakes throughout New Zealand.

What's on the menu?

Small eels

Insects, worms and water snails.

Big eels

Fish and meat – even small birds or ducklings!

Super sniffers

Eels hunt by smell, not sight. Their tube-shaped nostrils can pick up food from long distances.

Built to grip

Rows of small, sharp teeth point backwards, so once they've got their food, it can't get away!

Three types of eel in New Zealand

Longfin – found only in New Zealand, mainly in rivers and lakes.

Shortfin – lives in Australia, New Zealand and some Pacific Islands.

Spotted longfin – an occasional visitor, sneaking over from Australia.

Come and meet them

Open daily 9am–5pm · No booking needed

Prices & Opening Hours