{"schemaVersion":"ready-scan.discovery-entity.v3","id":"urn:readyscan:entity:white-heron-sanctuary-tours-q122951675","slug":"white-heron-sanctuary-tours-q122951675","kind":"entity","entityType":"Organization","canonicalUrl":"https://directory.readyscan.ai/entities/white-heron-sanctuary-tours-q122951675","machineUrl":"https://directory.readyscan.ai/discovery/entities/white-heron-sanctuary-tours-q122951675.json","llmsUrl":"https://directory.readyscan.ai/entities/white-heron-sanctuary-tours-q122951675/llms.txt","name":"White Heron Sanctuary Tours","alternateNames":[],"websiteUrl":"https://www.whiteherontours.co.nz/","category":{"slug":"businesses","name":"Businesses","canonicalUrl":"https://directory.readyscan.ai/directory/businesses"},"description":"Tour company in Whataroa, New Zealand.","summary":"White Heron Sanctuary Tours: Tour company in Whataroa, New Zealand. Website: https://www.whiteherontours.co.nz/","localizedDescriptions":[],"claims":[{"id":"content-native-digital-agencies-fb680cc75d0dc930-a-70e79b7371345b915a9a","label":"Where is New Zealand's only White Heron nesting site located?","value":"“New Zealand’s sole Kōtuku (White Heron) breeding colony is located within the protected Waitangiroto Nature Reserve, near Whataroa on the West Coast of the South Island, approximately 30 minutes north of Franz Josef.”","sourceIds":["source-a30f4591235be313"]},{"id":"content-native-digital-agencies-fb680cc75d0dc930-a-d1749bf840fc9abb4a9e","label":"When can we visit to observe the nesting White Herons?","value":"“The White Herons can be observed at their only New Zealand breeding ground in the Waitangiroto Nature Reserve during our spring and summer months.”","sourceIds":["source-a30f4591235be313"]},{"id":"content-native-digital-agencies-fb680cc75d0dc930-a-365facf8969ca663c9fe","label":"Is there only one tour to the White Heron nesting site in New Zealand?","value":"“Yes, White Heron Sanctuary Tours operates the only tour to New Zealand’s White Heron nesting colony.”","sourceIds":["source-a30f4591235be313"]},{"id":"content-native-digital-agencies-fb680cc75d0dc930-a-e79b9f6ee17cefbf2521","label":"When do the Kōtuku, White Heron chicks start hatching?","value":"“The first Kōtuku, White Heron chicks of the nesting season typically begin hatching in early November, with hatchings occurring most days throughout November and December.”","sourceIds":["source-a30f4591235be313"]},{"id":"content-native-digital-agencies-fb680cc75d0dc930-a-554f55f74a1e062120ed","label":"Do the Kōtuku, White Herons nest at Ōkārito?","value":"“No, although the Kōtuku colony was historically sometimes referred to as the “Ōkārito heronry” -Kōtuku do not nest at the Ōkārito Lagoon.”","sourceIds":["source-a30f4591235be313"]},{"id":"content-native-digital-agencies-fb680cc75d0dc930-a-748f5a3b350561620acb","label":"Can I visit the Kōtuku nesting site by kayak?","value":"“No. The Waitangiroto Nature Reserve is a fragile wildlife sanctuary, not a recreational area. Its waterways, including the Waitangiroto River, are legally protected by the Department of Conservation.”","sourceIds":["source-a30f4591235be313"]},{"id":"content-native-digital-agencies-fb680cc75d0dc930-a-c7723cfd753191d90e50","label":"When is the best time to see White Herons, Kōtuku in full breeding plumage?","value":"“September, October and early November are the ideal months to see the White Herons in their full breeding plumage at their only New Zealand nesting site in the Waitangiroto Nature Reserve.”","sourceIds":["source-a30f4591235be313"]},{"id":"content-native-digital-agencies-fb680cc75d0dc930-a-95dd19d2efe963b1a799","label":"Where is New Zealand's Only Kōtuku Breeding Colony?","value":"“New Zealand’s sole Kōtuku (White Heron) breeding colony is located within the protected Waitangiroto Nature Reserve, near Whataroa on the West Coast of the South Island, approximately 30 minutes north of Franz Josef Glacier.”","sourceIds":["source-e1f61fe1542c9c1d"]},{"id":"content-native-digital-agencies-fb680cc75d0dc930-a-ddbcfb447170d17d56cf","label":"When Can I Visit to See the White Heron Colony?","value":"“Each spring, the Kōtuku return to the Waitangiroto Nature Reserve to breed, with birds present at the colony from approximately mid-September to early March.”","sourceIds":["source-e1f61fe1542c9c1d"]},{"id":"content-native-digital-agencies-fb680cc75d0dc930-a-9e784dfde44952e26530","label":"Not sure when to visit?","value":"“Read our Best Time to Visit the White Heron Colony — coming soon.”","sourceIds":["source-e1f61fe1542c9c1d"]},{"id":"content-native-digital-agencies-fb680cc75d0dc930-a-f27603bef5b1a2bfd2b5","label":"Can I Visit Outside the Breeding Season?","value":"“Yes. For many visitors, standing at New Zealand’s only Kōtuku nesting site is a memorable experience in itself.”","sourceIds":["source-e1f61fe1542c9c1d"]},{"id":"content-native-digital-agencies-fb680cc75d0dc930-a-268f4de7cfadc668db8c","label":"Why is Access Restricted?","value":"“The Kōtuku are particularly sensitive to disturbance while breeding.”","sourceIds":["source-e1f61fe1542c9c1d"]},{"id":"content-native-digital-agencies-fb680cc75d0dc930-a-deac70d8f2ef0128be36","label":"Where Does the White Heron Tour Depart From?","value":"“Our White Heron Sanctuary Tour departs from our tour office in Whataroa, conveniently located on State Highway 6 on the West Coast of the South Island.”","sourceIds":["source-e1f61fe1542c9c1d"]},{"id":"content-native-digital-agencies-fb680cc75d0dc930-a-799ebf91468982179e14","label":"How Do I Book?","value":"“You can book your White Heron Sanctuary Tour online through our website or contact us directly by NZ Freephone: 0800 523 456”","sourceIds":["source-e1f61fe1542c9c1d"]},{"id":"content-native-digital-agencies-fb680cc75d0dc930-a-f9e79ab4a4e8171ce7a5","label":"Have more questions?","value":"“Visit our Frequently Asked Questions page for information about accessibility, photography, weather, cancellations and more.”","sourceIds":["source-e1f61fe1542c9c1d"]},{"id":"source-description","label":"About","value":"Tour company in Whataroa, New Zealand.","sourceIds":["source-fde02dd236fb7d18"]},{"id":"source-listed-website","label":"Website","value":"https://www.whiteherontours.co.nz/","sourceIds":["source-fde02dd236fb7d18"]}],"knowledge":{"offerings":[],"answers":[{"id":"content-native-digital-agencies-fb680cc75d0dc930-a-70e79b7371345b915a9a","question":"Where is New Zealand's only White Heron nesting site located?","answer":"“New Zealand’s sole Kōtuku (White Heron) breeding colony is located within the protected Waitangiroto Nature Reserve, near Whataroa on the West Coast of the South Island, approximately 30 minutes north of Franz Josef.”","sourceIds":["source-a30f4591235be313"],"claimIds":["content-native-digital-agencies-fb680cc75d0dc930-a-70e79b7371345b915a9a"]},{"id":"content-native-digital-agencies-fb680cc75d0dc930-a-d1749bf840fc9abb4a9e","question":"When can we visit to observe the nesting White Herons?","answer":"“The White Herons can be observed at their only New Zealand breeding ground in the Waitangiroto Nature Reserve during our spring and summer months.”","sourceIds":["source-a30f4591235be313"],"claimIds":["content-native-digital-agencies-fb680cc75d0dc930-a-d1749bf840fc9abb4a9e"]},{"id":"content-native-digital-agencies-fb680cc75d0dc930-a-365facf8969ca663c9fe","question":"Is there only one tour to the White Heron nesting site in New Zealand?","answer":"“Yes, White Heron Sanctuary Tours operates the only tour to New Zealand’s White Heron nesting colony.”","sourceIds":["source-a30f4591235be313"],"claimIds":["content-native-digital-agencies-fb680cc75d0dc930-a-365facf8969ca663c9fe"]},{"id":"content-native-digital-agencies-fb680cc75d0dc930-a-e79b9f6ee17cefbf2521","question":"When do the Kōtuku, White Heron chicks start hatching?","answer":"“The first Kōtuku, White Heron chicks of the nesting season typically begin hatching in early November, with hatchings occurring most days throughout November and December.”","sourceIds":["source-a30f4591235be313"],"claimIds":["content-native-digital-agencies-fb680cc75d0dc930-a-e79b9f6ee17cefbf2521"]},{"id":"content-native-digital-agencies-fb680cc75d0dc930-a-554f55f74a1e062120ed","question":"Do the Kōtuku, White Herons nest at Ōkārito?","answer":"“No, although the Kōtuku colony was historically sometimes referred to as the “Ōkārito heronry” -Kōtuku do not nest at the Ōkārito Lagoon.”","sourceIds":["source-a30f4591235be313"],"claimIds":["content-native-digital-agencies-fb680cc75d0dc930-a-554f55f74a1e062120ed"]},{"id":"content-native-digital-agencies-fb680cc75d0dc930-a-748f5a3b350561620acb","question":"Can I visit the Kōtuku nesting site by kayak?","answer":"“No. The Waitangiroto Nature Reserve is a fragile wildlife sanctuary, not a recreational area. Its waterways, including the Waitangiroto River, are legally protected by the Department of Conservation.”","sourceIds":["source-a30f4591235be313"],"claimIds":["content-native-digital-agencies-fb680cc75d0dc930-a-748f5a3b350561620acb"]},{"id":"content-native-digital-agencies-fb680cc75d0dc930-a-c7723cfd753191d90e50","question":"When is the best time to see White Herons, Kōtuku in full breeding plumage?","answer":"“September, October and early November are the ideal months to see the White Herons in their full breeding plumage at their only New Zealand nesting site in the Waitangiroto Nature Reserve.”","sourceIds":["source-a30f4591235be313"],"claimIds":["content-native-digital-agencies-fb680cc75d0dc930-a-c7723cfd753191d90e50"]},{"id":"content-native-digital-agencies-fb680cc75d0dc930-a-95dd19d2efe963b1a799","question":"Where is New Zealand's Only Kōtuku Breeding Colony?","answer":"“New Zealand’s sole Kōtuku (White Heron) breeding colony is located within the protected Waitangiroto Nature Reserve, near Whataroa on the West Coast of the South Island, approximately 30 minutes north of Franz Josef Glacier.”","sourceIds":["source-e1f61fe1542c9c1d"],"claimIds":["content-native-digital-agencies-fb680cc75d0dc930-a-95dd19d2efe963b1a799"]},{"id":"content-native-digital-agencies-fb680cc75d0dc930-a-ddbcfb447170d17d56cf","question":"When Can I Visit to See the White Heron Colony?","answer":"“Each spring, the Kōtuku return to the Waitangiroto Nature Reserve to breed, with birds present at the colony from approximately mid-September to early March.”","sourceIds":["source-e1f61fe1542c9c1d"],"claimIds":["content-native-digital-agencies-fb680cc75d0dc930-a-ddbcfb447170d17d56cf"]},{"id":"content-native-digital-agencies-fb680cc75d0dc930-a-9e784dfde44952e26530","question":"Not sure when to visit?","answer":"“Read our Best Time to Visit the White Heron Colony — coming soon.”","sourceIds":["source-e1f61fe1542c9c1d"],"claimIds":["content-native-digital-agencies-fb680cc75d0dc930-a-9e784dfde44952e26530"]},{"id":"content-native-digital-agencies-fb680cc75d0dc930-a-f27603bef5b1a2bfd2b5","question":"Can I Visit Outside the Breeding Season?","answer":"“Yes. For many visitors, standing at New Zealand’s only Kōtuku nesting site is a memorable experience in itself.”","sourceIds":["source-e1f61fe1542c9c1d"],"claimIds":["content-native-digital-agencies-fb680cc75d0dc930-a-f27603bef5b1a2bfd2b5"]},{"id":"content-native-digital-agencies-fb680cc75d0dc930-a-268f4de7cfadc668db8c","question":"Why is Access Restricted?","answer":"“The Kōtuku are particularly sensitive to disturbance while breeding.”","sourceIds":["source-e1f61fe1542c9c1d"],"claimIds":["content-native-digital-agencies-fb680cc75d0dc930-a-268f4de7cfadc668db8c"]},{"id":"content-native-digital-agencies-fb680cc75d0dc930-a-deac70d8f2ef0128be36","question":"Where Does the White Heron Tour Depart From?","answer":"“Our White Heron Sanctuary Tour departs from our tour office in Whataroa, conveniently located on State Highway 6 on the West Coast of the South Island.”","sourceIds":["source-e1f61fe1542c9c1d"],"claimIds":["content-native-digital-agencies-fb680cc75d0dc930-a-deac70d8f2ef0128be36"]},{"id":"content-native-digital-agencies-fb680cc75d0dc930-a-799ebf91468982179e14","question":"How Do I Book?","answer":"“You can book your White Heron Sanctuary Tour online through our website or contact us directly by NZ Freephone: 0800 523 456”","sourceIds":["source-e1f61fe1542c9c1d"],"claimIds":["content-native-digital-agencies-fb680cc75d0dc930-a-799ebf91468982179e14"]},{"id":"content-native-digital-agencies-fb680cc75d0dc930-a-f9e79ab4a4e8171ce7a5","question":"Have more questions?","answer":"“Visit our Frequently Asked Questions page for information about accessibility, photography, weather, cancellations and more.”","sourceIds":["source-e1f61fe1542c9c1d"],"claimIds":["content-native-digital-agencies-fb680cc75d0dc930-a-f9e79ab4a4e8171ce7a5"]}],"developments":[]},"sources":[{"id":"source-record","title":"White Heron Sanctuary Tours website","publisher":"whiteherontours.co.nz","url":"https://www.whiteherontours.co.nz/","accessedOn":"2026-10-27"},{"id":"source-a30f4591235be313","title":"whiteherontours.co.nz/faqs","publisher":"whiteherontours.co.nz","url":"https://www.whiteherontours.co.nz/faqs","accessedOn":"2026-10-27","relatedPublicationsUrl":"https://readyscan.ai/sources/source-a30f4591235be313"},{"id":"source-e1f61fe1542c9c1d","title":"whiteherontours.co.nz/post/how-to-visit-new-zealand-s-only-white-heron-k%C5%8Dtuku-nesting-colony","publisher":"whiteherontours.co.nz","url":"https://www.whiteherontours.co.nz/post/how-to-visit-new-zealand-s-only-white-heron-k%C5%8Dtuku-nesting-colony","accessedOn":"2026-10-27","relatedPublicationsUrl":"https://readyscan.ai/sources/source-e1f61fe1542c9c1d"},{"id":"source-fde02dd236fb7d18","title":"wikidata.org/wiki/Special:EntityData/Q122951675.json","publisher":"wikidata.org","url":"https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Special:EntityData/Q122951675.json?revision=1988181617","accessedOn":"2026-10-27","relatedPublicationsUrl":"https://readyscan.ai/sources/source-fde02dd236fb7d18"}],"ownership":{"state":"public_sourced_unclaimed","notice":"Public-source record; owner verification is not claimed.","provenance":{"snapshotId":"white-heron-sanctuary-tours-q122951675-content-181c8145f1dffbdb-snapshot","sourceId":"ready-scan-subjects","sourceRecordId":"Q122951675","sourceRevisionId":"Q122951675:content:b69866262fa5b551","sourceContentHash":"fnv1a64:6164890c8e7fd70b","recordRevisionId":"Q122951675:content:b69866262fa5b551","recordContentHash":"fnv1a64:b016e72f9b2ffeed","sourceCanonicalUrl":"https://www.whiteherontours.co.nz/","sourceModifiedAt":"2026-10-27T06:39:05.378Z","observedOn":"2026-10-27","permission":{"basis":"public_information","evidenceUrl":"https://www.whiteherontours.co.nz/"},"attributionUrl":"https://www.whiteherontours.co.nz/"}},"datePublished":"2026-10-27","dateModified":"2026-10-27","contentFingerprint":"fnv1a64:677a7d2829181de9","revision":"fnv1a64:192b4b923d5f5d48","agentProtocol":{"discovery":"https://readyscan.ai/api/v1/ai-search/discovery","evidence":"https://readyscan.ai/api/v1/ai-search/entities/white-heron-sanctuary-tours-q122951675/evidence"},"structuredData":{"@context":"https://schema.org","@id":"https://directory.readyscan.ai/entities/white-heron-sanctuary-tours-q122951675#entity","name":"White Heron Sanctuary Tours","identifier":"urn:readyscan:entity:white-heron-sanctuary-tours-q122951675","description":"Tour company in Whataroa, New Zealand.","url":"https://www.whiteherontours.co.nz/","mainEntityOfPage":"https://directory.readyscan.ai/entities/white-heron-sanctuary-tours-q122951675","datePublished":"2026-10-27","dateModified":"2026-10-27","citation":["https://www.whiteherontours.co.nz/","https://www.whiteherontours.co.nz/faqs","https://www.whiteherontours.co.nz/post/how-to-visit-new-zealand-s-only-white-heron-k%C5%8Dtuku-nesting-colony","https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Special:EntityData/Q122951675.json?revision=1988181617"],"additionalProperty":[{"@type":"PropertyValue","propertyID":"ownership-state","name":"Ownership state","value":"public_sourced_unclaimed"},{"@type":"PropertyValue","propertyID":"content-fingerprint","name":"Material content fingerprint","value":"fnv1a64:677a7d2829181de9"},{"@type":"PropertyValue","propertyID":"source-record","name":"Source record","value":"ready-scan-subjects/Q122951675"},{"@type":"PropertyValue","propertyID":"source-revision","name":"Source revision","value":"Q122951675:content:b69866262fa5b551"},{"@type":"PropertyValue","propertyID":"claim:content-native-digital-agencies-fb680cc75d0dc930-a-70e79b7371345b915a9a","name":"Where is New Zealand's only White Heron nesting site located?","value":"“New Zealand’s sole Kōtuku (White Heron) breeding colony is located within the protected Waitangiroto Nature Reserve, near Whataroa on the West Coast of the South Island, approximately 30 minutes north of Franz Josef.”"},{"@type":"PropertyValue","propertyID":"claim:content-native-digital-agencies-fb680cc75d0dc930-a-d1749bf840fc9abb4a9e","name":"When can we visit to observe the nesting White Herons?","value":"“The White Herons can be observed at their only New Zealand breeding ground in the Waitangiroto Nature Reserve during our spring and summer months.”"},{"@type":"PropertyValue","propertyID":"claim:content-native-digital-agencies-fb680cc75d0dc930-a-365facf8969ca663c9fe","name":"Is there only one tour to the White Heron nesting site in New Zealand?","value":"“Yes, White Heron Sanctuary Tours operates the only tour to New Zealand’s White Heron nesting colony.”"},{"@type":"PropertyValue","propertyID":"claim:content-native-digital-agencies-fb680cc75d0dc930-a-e79b9f6ee17cefbf2521","name":"When do the Kōtuku, White Heron chicks start hatching?","value":"“The first Kōtuku, White Heron chicks of the nesting season typically begin hatching in early November, with hatchings occurring most days throughout November and December.”"},{"@type":"PropertyValue","propertyID":"claim:content-native-digital-agencies-fb680cc75d0dc930-a-554f55f74a1e062120ed","name":"Do the Kōtuku, White Herons nest at Ōkārito?","value":"“No, although the Kōtuku colony was historically sometimes referred to as the “Ōkārito heronry” -Kōtuku do not nest at the Ōkārito Lagoon.”"},{"@type":"PropertyValue","propertyID":"claim:content-native-digital-agencies-fb680cc75d0dc930-a-748f5a3b350561620acb","name":"Can I visit the Kōtuku nesting site by kayak?","value":"“No. The Waitangiroto Nature Reserve is a fragile wildlife sanctuary, not a recreational area. Its waterways, including the Waitangiroto River, are legally protected by the Department of Conservation.”"},{"@type":"PropertyValue","propertyID":"claim:content-native-digital-agencies-fb680cc75d0dc930-a-c7723cfd753191d90e50","name":"When is the best time to see White Herons, Kōtuku in full breeding plumage?","value":"“September, October and early November are the ideal months to see the White Herons in their full breeding plumage at their only New Zealand nesting site in the Waitangiroto Nature Reserve.”"},{"@type":"PropertyValue","propertyID":"claim:content-native-digital-agencies-fb680cc75d0dc930-a-95dd19d2efe963b1a799","name":"Where is New Zealand's Only Kōtuku Breeding Colony?","value":"“New Zealand’s sole Kōtuku (White Heron) breeding colony is located within the protected Waitangiroto Nature Reserve, near Whataroa on the West Coast of the South Island, approximately 30 minutes north of Franz Josef Glacier.”"},{"@type":"PropertyValue","propertyID":"claim:content-native-digital-agencies-fb680cc75d0dc930-a-ddbcfb447170d17d56cf","name":"When Can I Visit to See the White Heron Colony?","value":"“Each spring, the Kōtuku return to the Waitangiroto Nature Reserve to breed, with birds present at the colony from approximately mid-September to early March.”"},{"@type":"PropertyValue","propertyID":"claim:content-native-digital-agencies-fb680cc75d0dc930-a-9e784dfde44952e26530","name":"Not sure when to visit?","value":"“Read our Best Time to Visit the White Heron Colony — coming soon.”"},{"@type":"PropertyValue","propertyID":"claim:content-native-digital-agencies-fb680cc75d0dc930-a-f27603bef5b1a2bfd2b5","name":"Can I Visit Outside the Breeding Season?","value":"“Yes. For many visitors, standing at New Zealand’s only Kōtuku nesting site is a memorable experience in itself.”"},{"@type":"PropertyValue","propertyID":"claim:content-native-digital-agencies-fb680cc75d0dc930-a-268f4de7cfadc668db8c","name":"Why is Access Restricted?","value":"“The Kōtuku are particularly sensitive to disturbance while breeding.”"},{"@type":"PropertyValue","propertyID":"claim:content-native-digital-agencies-fb680cc75d0dc930-a-deac70d8f2ef0128be36","name":"Where Does the White Heron Tour Depart From?","value":"“Our White Heron Sanctuary Tour departs from our tour office in Whataroa, conveniently located on State Highway 6 on the West Coast of the South Island.”"},{"@type":"PropertyValue","propertyID":"claim:content-native-digital-agencies-fb680cc75d0dc930-a-799ebf91468982179e14","name":"How Do I Book?","value":"“You can book your White Heron Sanctuary Tour online through our website or contact us directly by NZ Freephone: 0800 523 456”"},{"@type":"PropertyValue","propertyID":"claim:content-native-digital-agencies-fb680cc75d0dc930-a-f9e79ab4a4e8171ce7a5","name":"Have more questions?","value":"“Visit our Frequently Asked Questions page for information about accessibility, photography, weather, cancellations and more.”"},{"@type":"PropertyValue","propertyID":"claim:source-description","name":"About","value":"Tour company in Whataroa, New Zealand."},{"@type":"PropertyValue","propertyID":"claim:source-listed-website","name":"Website","value":"https://www.whiteherontours.co.nz/"}],"@type":"Organization"}}