Pukaha Mount Bruce refers to the entire Mount Bruce Scenic reserve and the National Wildlife Centre located on the western boundary of the reserve adjoining State Highway 2. Pukaha is the name given to the area by early Maori and was part of the huge lowland forest called Te Tapere Nui A Whatonga.

Pukaha Mount Bruce is located on the boundary between the Tararua and Masterton districts. To the south, the tributaries of the Ruamahanga river flow to the south to Cook Straight and to the north the tributaries of the Manawatu river flow west to the Tasman Sea.

The National Wildlife Centre is located within the Pukaha Mount Bruce forest adjoining State Highway 2 and comprises the captive breeding and visitor and educational facilities.

Pukaha Mount Bruce is a partnership between the National Wildlife Centre Trust, Rangitaane o Wairarapa and Department of Conservation.

The National Wildlife Centre Trust represents the community interest in the National Wildlife Centre and Pukaha Mount Bruce forest. The Trust is also a charitable organization.

The National Wildlife Centre Trust has a key role of obtaining support from the community to assist in achieving the vision for Pukaha Mount Bruce.

Rangitaane o Wairarapa are tangata whenua ('people of the land') for the Pukaha area.

The National Wildlife Centre Trust, Rangitaane o Wairarapa and the Department of Conservation work together to achieve the vision and goals of Pukaha Mount Bruce.

The Visitor Centre and nocturnal kiwi house, constructed by the National Wildlife Centre Trust, are also located within the National Wildlife Centre.

Pukaha Mount Bruce has an important role to support national threatened species recovery plans though captive breeding and research. The education of visitors in conservation in New Zealand is also a key function of Pukaha Mount Bruce. The restoration of the Pukaha Mount Bruce forest supports the reintroduction of threatened species to the mainland of New Zealand and also seeks to demonstrate that restoration of the mainland is possible and that the community can make a difference.

Pukaha Mount Bruce is a tourist icon in the region and visitors are able to experience some of our rarest species that cannot be viewed anywhere else on mainland New Zealand.