Uncontrolled dogs are still a threat to kiwi at Whangarei Heads, but hard work by locals has allowed kiwi numbers to increase over the past 10 years, new research shows.
Online conservation journal Conservation Evidence says the Whangarei Heads Landcare Forum (WHLF), a partnership involving Landcare groups, the Northland RegionalCouncil, the NZ Landcare Trust and the Department of Conservation had worked tirelessly since 2001 to protect and monitor kiwi numbers by trapping serious predators such as ferrets, stoats and possums on the peninsula.
Todd Hamilton, who manages the WHLF's Backyard Kiwi project, said engaging the community had been an important part of saving kiwi at the Heads. Backyard Kiwi was a way of prompting people to get out into their own backyards to listen up.
Kiwi numbers were estimated through "the real listening work" in May and June with locals spending eight hours over four nights at 21 locations noting every kiwi call. "That so many people are willing to sit outside on hilly vantage points during winter evenings typifies the commitment of the community to keeping kiwi in their backyards," said Mr Hamilton.
"Whangarei Heads residents literally have kiwi in their backyards and efforts over the past 10 years have focused on ensuring people know this, that they understand how special that is, and what they can do to ensure their grandchildren still have kiwi in their backyards," he said.
