Hupai's arrival a 'symbol of hope' for national icon

The 1000th kiwi chick born under the Operation Nest Egg conservation programme pecked and pushed its way into the world early yesterday.

Hupai (Maori for "to overcome") hatched at 3am at Rotorua's Kiwi Encounter.

The special North Island brown kiwi marks a significant milestone in the programme's 14 year history, said BNZ Save the Kiwi Trust executive director Michelle Impey.

She said Hupai's arrival was a symbol of hope for our national icon.

"I would like to thank the hundreds of community volunteers, Department of Conservation staff and workers at captive facilities around the country that have got us to this point.

"Without BNZ Operation Nest Egg and everyone involved, small kiwi populations would have a very difficult road to recovery and an uncertain future," Ms Impey said.

DOC Kiwi recovery group leader Avi Holzapfel said that 100 years ago kiwi numbered in the millions whereas today there are less than 100,000. "Brown kiwi numbers are still declining, there are about 15,000 of them left. That said, they have a much better chance at survival now we know a lot more about them."

Mr Holzapfel said that although 15,000 birds sounds like a lot, they need to make sure the work continues and that BNZ Operation Nest Egg is a powerful tool to reverse the decline of kiwi.

"It has taken 14 years to get to this stage. All of the staff at Rotorua's Kiwi Encounter are highly skilled people who have added a lot to the conservation of our national bird."

He said that the process starts with the collection of wild kiwi eggs that are then incubated, hatched and reared in captivity. When they are about four weeks old the chicks are sent to a safe creche of either a predator-free island or mainland sanctuary until they reach around 1kg.

Only then are they returned to their wild home.

"BNZ Operation Nest Egg increases by at least seven times, the chance of a kiwi making it to adulthood," Mr Holzapfel said.

Rotorua MP and conservation minister Steve Chadwick said this was a tremendous achievement for everyone involved. "This is an excellent example of the benefits of partnerships between the Department and other organisations; increasing the long term survival of some of New Zealand's most precious and endangered wildlife," she said.

Hupai will be returned to its wild home of Waimarino, near Wanganui, once it reaches goal weight enabling it to successfully fight off predators.

The BNZ Save the Kiwi Trust was established in November 2002 by the Bank of New Zealand and the Department of Conservation.

It is responsible for public awareness and education, fundraising, sponsorship and grant allocations for kiwi recovery nationally.

In 2007, $771,000 was allocated to community and DOC kiwi projects.

This money came from the BNZ, its staff, customers and supporters of the BNZ Save the Kiwi Trust.