German Chancellor Angela Merkel is normally all business, but it didn't take long for a grumpy kiwi to coax a smile out of her - and even a wee coo. Dr Merkel is on her first visit to New Zealand and was taken to Motutapu Island to meet a kiwi. The kiwi, Whau, was held by Department of Conservation ranger Hazel Speed while Merkel patted her. The nocturnal bird might have been a bit cranky at being so rudely awoken, but that only seemed to endear her to Dr Merkel more as she cooed at the kiwi. All smiles, Dr Merkel happily lifted her end of the carry box to take Whau up to the release site to let her go back to bed.
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