Matuku Link has been recognised on the world stage, winning a Gold Star Award at the Wetland Link International Awards – one of only three wetland centres in the world to be given this award! We’re celebrating with a week of open days from the 22nd to the 30th November with fun activities, daily tours, and informative displays. 

Discover our expo showcase, sharing the story of how a small community of volunteers transformed an old barn and wetland into an award-winning education centre. Learn about our ongoing conservation work – restoring habitats, propagating native plants, and protecting threatened species like the matuku-hūrepo (Australasian bittern), banded kokopū, and pāteke (brown teal).  

Enjoy a cuppa and home baking at our pop-up café, browse our gift shop, and connect with the dedicated volunteers and supporters who make this all possible. 

Daily tours – Guided Wetland Tours at 11am & 1pm ($5 per person)
Weekend extras – Free eel talk at 10:30am, plus a mural talk with local artist Derek March at 12:30pm. 

Whether you’re a nature lover, photographer, or simply curious, this is your chance to experience our hidden wetland sanctuary up close, celebrate community-led conservation in action, and be part of protecting Aotearoa’s last remaining wetlands. 

Our annual Wetland Festival will be on Sunday 1st of February 2026.

With free family activities every hour including guided tours on bugs, birds, eels, and plants, and local conservation groups to chat to, you will have plenty to do all day. While you are here, look for our local pāteke (brown teal), spot a secretive spotless crake (pūweto), and keep an eye out for our cryptic namesake, the matuku-hūrepo (Australasian bittern). See how much Matuku Link has changed since its beginnings in 2016, with over eight thousand volunteer hours spent annually improving the place, building accessible boardwalks, and a Wetland Education Centre.

There will be an all-day market with gifts, food, art, crafts, information, and entertainment.

Stallholders in 2026 include  Auckland Zoo, Arataki Visitor Centre, Forest & Bird Waitākere, Birds New Zealand, The Entomological Society, Whitebait Connection, Kauri Rescue, Auckland Council Biodiversity, Pest Free Waitākere Ranges Alliance (PFWRA), and more.

Enjoy homemade treats, BBQ (vegan and non-vegan), drinks including fresh coffee, all available for purchase. We’re proud to make this a low-waste event, using composting, recycling, and reusable items wherever possible.

We would love you to join us on this special day. All free and all welcome. See you there for a fun filled family day!

Sunday 1st February 2026 10 am – 3 pm

111 Bethells Road, Te Henga/Bethells, West Auckland.

Annalily & trustees Chad Wilkie, Dale Bainbridge, John Fawcett, John Staniland, John Sumich and all the volunteers!