Kiwi of the feathered kind are now leaving more than footprints in the Northland bush.
Their message has gone digital with the launch of a website dedicated to the Kiwi Coast initiative. Kiwi Coast is spearheading community-led conservation projects along 175km of the east coast from Bream Head at Whangarei to Hihi Peninsula in the Far North.
Co-ordinator Ngaire Tyson said the kiwicoast.org.nz provided a focal point for more than 30 linked projects and makes information readily available to anyone wanting to know more about kiwi conservation work.
"It brings iwi, community, agency and individual kiwi recovery projects along Northland's east coast into one space," Ms Tyson said. "A practical example of how the new site will help is that it will let people hear the different calls of male and female kiwi so they'll be able to recognise the distinctive calls of our national icon."
Knowing more about the birds will encourage new people and groups to join in and help build up an understanding of remnant and recovering kiwi populations, Ms Tyson said.
The site suggests simple ways everyone can get involved in looking after kiwi.
Meanwhile, the concept of the kiwi corridor between Bream Head and Hihi peninsula is gaining support, with established groups joining and new groups forming in support of the initiative launched just last year.
Kiwi Coast is the first pilot project to be supported by Reconnecting Northland, a region-wide ecological restoration programme which aims to link projects and groups to create large-scale beneficial change for Northland's environment.
Reconnecting Northland is delivered in partnership by NZ Landcare Trust and WWF New Zealand.