Kiwi are thriving in Wellington, and could be living anywhere from Pariwhero (Red Rocks) to Porirua. Photo / Alan Gibson.
Kiwi are thriving in Wellington, and could be living anywhere from Pariwhero (Red Rocks) to Porirua. Photo / Alan Gibson.
Wellington conservationists say they’re saddened after a wild kiwi released more than two years ago was found dead in Porirua.
The Department of Conservation (DoC) has confirmed the bird was found dead in Titahi Bay with injuries “consistent with a dog attack”.
The kiwi was released in March 2023 throughthe Capital Kiwi Project at Terawhiti Station, 25km south of where it was found.
The project has seen 200 kiwi released in the region in recent years.
Project founder Paul Ward said it is a sad development, but a reminder for people to keep their dogs on a leash as kiwi rapidly spread throughout the region.
“The lesson here is how far Wellington’s restored wild kiwi population has spread and how quickly. Kiwi could now be living anywhere from Pariwhero (Red Rocks) to Porirua,” Ward said.
“Uncontrolled dogs now represent the greatest threat to adult kiwi. The fate of this kiwi reminds us all of our roles – as individuals and communities – to help lay out the welcome mat for our national symbol.”
The kiwi was found to be in “outstanding physical condition” according to a necropsy.
Ranger Jess Fancy holds one of 10 kiwi at Te Papa which were transported from Taranaki to be released into the hills surrounding Wellington. Photo / Sarah Tansy
Rawiri Faulkner of Ngāti Toa said: “As kaitiaki we are saddened by this death. We have a duty of guardianship and we ask our community to take measures to look after kiwi and all of our taonga species so that they thrive.
“This includes controlling pets and doing whatever we can to ensure the safety of these precious taonga.”
Angus Hulme-Moir, DoC Kapiti Wellington operations manager, thanked the member of the public who reported the dead kiwi.
“We are now in the hard-won position of sharing our backyards, paddocks and parks with this taonga, our national symbol – it’s an achievement to be proud of,“ Hulme-Moir said.
