Whangārei double kiwi release attracts large crowds

The releases attracted large crowds keen to meet the kiwi before their release. Photo / Wendy Bown

Whangārei's wild kiwi population has been enriched with a further 19 birds following two back-to-back releases over the weekend. The events attracted more than 450 locals keen for an educational meet and greet.

The kiwi came from two different island "creches". The first release was held on Saturday by the Pukenui Western Hills Forest Trust who released 14 birds into the 2000ha forest area fringing Whangārei city. This was followed on Sunday with the release of five kiwi by Backyard Kiwi into Parua Bay.

The releases attracted large crowds keen to meet the kiwi before their release. Photo / Wendy Bown

At both days' events, more than 450 people took the opportunity to meet the wild kiwi and hear how they can help keep them safe ahead of their release.

Saturday's addition to Pukenui Forest hailed from the Motuora Island kiwi creche in the Hauraki Gulf and was the fourth translocation to the area which is hoped to become a sustainable breeding colony. It involved 12 accredited handlers and assistants from the Department of Conservation (DoC), Pukenui Trust and Northland Regional Council (NRC) travelling to the island to catch the kiwi which entailed working throughout the night.

Pukenui ranger Bevan Cramp said it took until 5am to catch the 14 birds.

"It was a hard night's work. The birds seemed less plentiful than usual but were all big and strong and in good health."

Boxes of kiwi on Motuora bound for Pukenui Forest.

Representatives from local iwi Ngāti Manuhiri travelled by ferry to meet the birds at Motuora Island, then blessing the kiwi and the travelling team as they arrived at Sandspit wharf on the mainland. Ngāti Manuhiri then escorted the kiwi to Whangārei where they were passed over to tangata whenua and representatives from hapū  Ngāti Kahu o Torongare at the DoC office.

The public release event was co-hosted by Whangārei Intermediate and Whangārei Primary Schools with students invited to name the kiwi. Whangārei Intermediate School students coined the name "Niwi" for one of the birds and Whangārei Primary student Lexi Te Raki named one of the kiwi "Ataahua" which means "beautiful" in te teo Māori. Further names were given by sponsors.

Whangārei Primary School's Lexi Te Raki with the kiwi she named Ataahua, meaning "beautiful", with NRC kiwi handler Pete Graham.

All 14 kiwi were fitted with small radio transmitters that will allow their movements to be tracked as they settle into their new surrounds. The Pukenui Western Hills Forest Trust has now released a total of 54 kiwi into the forest where ongoing pest control keeps predator numbers down and kiwi safe. Cramp estimates the kiwi population to now be between 80-100 birds and said the key is now for landowners backing onto the forest and people exercising dogs, to be extra vigilant with their dog control.

"Keep an eye out for the signs around the forest fringes that remind people where dogs can be walked on leads and which areas are only for people to exercise in," he said.

Kiwi Coast co-ordinator Ngaire Sullivan said: "We are privileged to receive 14 new kiwi into the wider Whangārei area and mindful that these special birds are not confined in a zoo or behind predator proof fences. These wild kiwi are free to roam and it is up to all of us to ensure that they are safe to do so and can literally live in our backyards for generations to come."

Bob Starr and Ruth March bring "Jeanette" into Pukenui Forest.

The five kiwi released on Sunday were graduates from the Matakohe-Limestone Island kiwi creche which Backyard Kiwi project manager Todd Hamilton said acts as a "holding pad" until they were large enough to survive on the mainland.

A whakawātea ceremony was performed by Te Parawhau kaumātua Fred Tito at Onerahi as the birds arrived back on the mainland. As the release was held on Valentine's Day, one of the birds was given the name "Valentine" and another was named "Aroha". The remaining three kiwi were named by or after locals in the wider Parua Bay area who have contributed greatly to kiwi conservation over many years.

Todd Hamilton with Ann Cook and "Cook" the kiwi. Photo / Wendy Bown

The public release event later than evening at the Parua Bay Community Hall attracted 250 locals, eager to welcome the latest additions to the growing kiwi population in the area.

Hamilton congratulated the Whangārei Heads community for their excellent dog control over the last 20 years which, along with pest control, had seen kiwi numbers rise from 80 to more than 900.

"This is mainly through stoat control, trapping and poisoning. But all that doesn't matter if people don't tie their dogs up, then the kiwi population declines. The biggest threat to kiwi in Northland is uncontrolled dogs.

"We wouldn't have the 900 kiwi if we didn't have the good dog control at Whangārei Heads," he said.

Dogs are highly-attracted to the scent of kiwi, and even without being aggressive they can cause fatal injuries to kiwi. As kiwi have a very weak chest structure, a gentle squeeze by a dog can kill a kiwi.

Backyard Kiwi and Pukenui-Western Hills Forest Trust are both community-led projects carrying out pest control to ensure that the local forests and wildlife can thrive.

Each release was a huge collaborative effort, involving volunteers, sponsors and supporters from local communities, hapū and iwi, government agencies, schools, and supporting organisations such as Kiwi North and Kiwi Coast.