Sparky the one-legged kiwi delights school children

Sparky the kiwi visits Glenbervie School students. Photo/ Michael Cunningham

It's not every day you get to have a close encounter with a kiwi. In fact, few people have ever touched one, but the pupils at Glenbervie School are not on that list.

They were lucky to get up close and personal with a friendly chap named Sparky, a one-legged kiwi who came to visit for the school's conservation week.

Sparky, who lost his leg in a trap, hopped about on the grass while class after class came to say hello and learn about kiwi in the wild.

Sparky, unperturbed by the circle of children and little hands reaching out, tapped his bill on the ground looking for worms which he would occasionally pull from the ground to squeals of delight from the children.

Owner Robert Webb, from the Whangarei Native Bird Recovery Centre, said the teaching opportunity with Sparky was invaluable.

"It's fabulous and has a better impact when they can physically touch him. This way is the best way."

Nine-year-old Cameron Gysbertsenjoyed the experience and was impressed with how friendly Sparky was.

"It's pretty amazing because you don't really see them. We're lucky he survived."

Sparky is described as a kiwi ambassador and gets around with Mr Webb visiting schools in Northland and further afield.

Abigail Monteith, from the Department of Conservation, said it appreciated the work Mr Webb and Sparky put in.   "It's a great way of connecting kids with conservation."

Mr Webb said he and his wife, Robyn, had started the centre because of a lack of conservation funding. It was entirely voluntary, he said, so they had to be "totally dedicated or totally silly, and I'm not sure which one I am".

He said it was important to share the birds with people and they released the birds back to the area they came from.

"The best part is seeing them fly away."

Nine-year-old Aysha Murphy was glad Sparky would not be going anywhere.

"We feel great to have him at school. He's beautiful."