Six North Island brown kiwi have been released on the slopes of Mt Bruce, or Pukaha, after a 100-year absence from Wairarapa.
Their release yesterday follows an intensive programme to eradicate predators in the 980ha Department of Conservation reserve and surrounding land.
The four females and two males were bred in captivity
at Willowbank Reserve, Christchurch, as part of the Kiwi Recovery Programme.
Conservation Minister Chris Carter said it was an historic day.
"I would particularly like the children to remember - you were here the day the kiwi were brought back to Mt Bruce."
Riki Pitama, of Ngai Tuahuriri in the South Island, said the kiwi were a gift to Wairarapa.
"We acknowledge that we need to help our North Island brothers," he said.
"We bring it as a very special treasure to you."
Kiwi Recovery Programme leader Paul Jansen said kiwi numbers had declined from "many millions" when Europeans first arrived in the North Island, to fewer than 35,000 now.
DoC Wairarapa area manager Derrick Field said the birds would form the basis of a kiwi population at Mt Bruce that would eventually see up to 20 birds released.
- NZPA
Herald Feature: Conservation and Environment
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