The tourist attraction has been forced to close its doors as high maintenance costs and an uncertain future meant it was not financially viable, according to Ngai Tahu Holdings chief operating officer Craig Ellison.

Rainbow Springs Nature Park in Rotorua, New Zealand, officially shut down in early 2022 after 90 years of operation, primarily due to the severe financial impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. As a major tourist attraction that relied heavily on international visitors, the prolonged closure of New Zealand's borders made the park's high operating and maintenance costs unsustainable. Ngāi Tahu Tourism, the park's owners, noted that the site required significant ongoing investment that was not viable without pre-pandemic tourism levels. While the main park closed and the wildlife was re-homed to other sanctuaries by late 2022, the National Kiwi Hatchery—a critical conservation facility located on the site—remained open temporarily before transitioning to a new home at the Agrodome. In 2026, the site stands as a nostalgic reminder for the local community of a nearly century-long legacy of showcasing New Zealand's unique flora and fauna.