A warning about the potential extinction of New Zealand's national bird has prompted Government to boost funding to conservation efforts.
Just over $11 million has been allocated in today's Budget into into arresting the decline in wild kiwi numbers. The funding would last for four years, Conservation Minister Maggie Barry said.
The Department of Conservation (DoC) warned last year that the kiwi could become extinct within our grandchildren's lifetime.
Wild kiwi numbers were falling by 2 per cent each year. At this rate, the bird could be wiped out on the mainland within the next generation.
The target for the new investment was to turn the 2 per cent decline into an annual increase as soon as possible.