Willowbank is a good place for children to get close to relatively tame animals of all sorts, but it doesn't have the impact of Orana's exotic animals. It does, however, have the country's largest collection of kiwis, and you won't find any glass between you and the feathers. It takes a few minutes for your eyes to adjust to the dimly lit nocturnal house, but if you're patient and quiet, you will see a kiwi. This is guaranteed if you take a guided tour at 11:30am or 2:30pm. I'?d recommend paying the extra for the Kiwi Breeding Tour -- it's the best thing about Willowbank in my view. Night tours of the New Zealand Kiwi Experience are at 7:30, 8:30, and 9:30pm. Another very good feature is the Ko Tane Cultural Performance at 5:30 and 6:30pm, which is a fun introduction to things Maori.