Catch & release a crawly

Kōura

Freshwater crayfish – or "crawlies" as the locals call them. Have a go at catching one in our hook-free pond!

Fun for kids and adults · Open daily 9am–5pm

Kids catching a crawly at the National Kiwi Centre

Kōura by numbers

20–200eggs carried by a femaleShe carries them all under the flaps on her tummy
70–80mmadult sizeAbout the length of your finger
9moults in their first yearThat's a brand new "shell" more than every 6 weeks!

Quick kōura facts

Masters of disguise

They blend into rocks and debris, making them very hard to spot in the wild.

Ten legs

Five pairs of legs – but the front pair are pincers, used for catching food, fighting and warding off predators.

Speedy escape

When frightened, they flick their tail hard and scoot backwards out of trouble.

Lazy eaters

Kōura don't go looking for food – they stay put and let snacks float towards them.

Tiny passengers

Babies cling to mum's underside with tiny pincers for several months before leaving home.

Found all over NZ

Kōura live in lakes and streams throughout New Zealand.

What's on the menu?

Water snails

A favourite snack, picked up as it drifts past.

Midges

Tiny flies and their larvae.

Water insects

Whatever floats by or sinks to the bottom.

Extra protein

Young kōura need more protein to grow their new shells.

Catch a crawly!

Our hook-free catch-and-release pond lets kids and adults have a go at catching a crawly – while feeding these lazy crustaceans at the same time.

Did you know? There are two types of kōura in New Zealand. Northern kōura live mostly in the North Island, but are also found in Marlborough, Nelson and here on the West Coast. Southern kōura are only found in the eastern and southern South Island and on Rakiura (Stewart Island).

Come and catch a crawly

Open daily 9am–5pm · No booking needed

Prices & Opening Hours