Meet the owner
Local spotlight
Meet Richard Benton
What is risk without reward? Does such a thing even exist? Even the most reckless of risks comes with some promise of personal gain—unless, of course, the reward is intended for others. Such an altruistic roll of the dice could very well be the riskiest of all but perhaps also the most worthwhile.
:quality(85):format(webp))
Taking a Punt
The West Coast Wildlife Centre, located in Franz Josef Glacier, is a breeding ground – pun intended – for wildlife conservation. Owner Richard Benton is the man behind the magic. I caught up with Richard to learn more about how this centre came to be and what happens inside.
How long have you been operating, and how did you get into it?
Richard: Gosh, it’s a long story. We’ve been operating since November 2010. I actually got into this through the Department of Conservation (DOC). In 2008, I saw some land and buildings for sale in Franz Josef and approached DOC. At the time, I didn’t realise that the world’s rarest Kiwi, the Rowi, came from the Franz Josef / Okarito area. They asked if I’d be interested in setting up an incubation and hatching facility for both the Rowi and the Haast Tokoeka Kiwi. Back then, the birds and eggs were going over the hill to Christchurch, and iwi wanted to try to manage things locally. So, based on advice and support from DOC, I took the punt. I bought the land and buildings and converted them into the facility we have today.
Richard: I used to own the International Antarctic Centre in Christchurch. Between 2006 and 2008, I put in a New Zealand Penguin Encounter for sick and injured birds. Birds that couldn’t be released back into the wild. I’d formed quite a good relationship with the local DOC team and got hooked on advocacy and conservation from there. And you know, we’re only on this planet for a short period of time, so I guess I wanted to try and make a difference. When I came to Franz Josef and learned about the plight of the Rowi, I couldn’t help but want to be involved. There were only 140 left in the wild at that stage. Now, in partnership with DOC, those numbers are up to over 650 and we have hatched and incubated over 141 Haast Tokoeka. It’s been a hugely rewarding journey, both personally for me and for the species.
:format(webp))
:format(webp))
Well done! Can you describe the services you provide at the Wildlife Centre these days?
Richard: Sure! We’re an indoor visitor attraction, which is particularly handy in a location that receives its fair share of rain. Of course, inside our attraction, you’re guaranteed to see at least two beautiful kiwi (currently North Island Brown). We also offer a VIP Backstage Pass Tour, which takes you behind the scenes with some of our team to see the incubation and hatching facilities in action. But Rowi aren’t the only stars of the show. We have an excellent glacier attraction where you can learn more about the Fox and Franz Josef Glaciers and some of the challenges they face due to climate change. We also have a Predator-Free 2050 film and display, which is quite impressive, as well as a Tuatara Encounter, featuring another highly endangered species. They’ve got a third eye on top of their head. They’re only found in New Zealand, dating back to the time of the dinosaurs. So that’s pretty exciting. And all our visitors get to see up close how we look after these incredible reptiles.
And quite the cafe there as well.
Richard: We do, yeah! According to Tripadvisor, we make the best coffee in Franz Josef. Also, if you’re waiting to go on a walk or a helicopter flight due to inclement weather, see us as your entry ticket is valid for multiple re-entries over a two-day period which makes it incredible value for money. There’s a lot to keep you busy inside our facility, at least for a few hours, including a fantastic gift shop with plenty of New Zealand products.
:format(webp))
:format(webp))
Could you elaborate on your experience learning about the glaciers?
Richard: Inside, we have an attraction that allows people to walk through and learn about how glaciers are formed – NIWA fully endorses the information. We also have plenty of interactives to help take you on that journey. It’s a fun way to gain a better understanding of the importance of glaciers and why this region is known as Glacier Country.
We also have a new ZIP film and display ( Zero Invasive Predators), which shares the work taking place in the field to remove introduced predators from the wild. Much success is taking place, and the NZ Government plans to remove all introduced predators from NZ by 2050. What a great goal to have!
Would it be a Conservation and Wildlife Centre, then?
Richard: That’s right. We are a living Conservation and Wildlife Centre committed to advocacy and helping protect and preserve the welfare of all wildlife. Tripadvisor awarded us their Traveller’s Choice Award in 2023 and 2024, and we’ve won many Visitor Attraction Awards and earned an endorsement through Lonely Planet. We’re Qualmark Gold rated, which means we’re rated as high as possible for sustainability due to our very low environmental footprint.
:format(webp))
What are you waiting for?
:format(webp))
The West Coast Wildlife Centre is located on the corner of Cron and Cowan Streets in Franz Josef Glacier. Visit Richard and the team, or get in touch for an up-close and personal wildlife experience. Source from: glaciercountry.co.nz
:format(webp))
:format(webp))
:format(webp)){kind=logo}
:format(webp))
:format(webp)){kind=icon}
:format(webp))
:format(webp)){kind=logo}
:format(webp)){kind=icon}
:format(webp)){kind=icon}
:format(webp))