Rare ginger kiwi released in Taupo

The ginger kiwi at the Wairakei Golf & Sanctuary Kiwi Creche.

A kiwi with unusual ginger colouring has been released to the Wairakei Golf and Sanctuary Kiwi Creche in Taupo after hatching at Rainbow Springs' Kiwi Encounter.

Kindara was sponsored by Tauhara College in Taupo and named after their school and their sister school Kindai in Japan, Kiwi Encounter kiwi husbandry manager Claire Travers said.

Kindara will stay at Wairakei until the bird achieves a 'stoat-proof' weight of 1kg and then will go back to the Karioi Rahui Reserve on the southern slopes of Mt Ruapehu.

"We've never seen a kiwi chick with such ginger colouring, it's very cute," Ms Travers said.