Kiwi pair discovered near Tauranga

DoC Media Release 10 June 2008, http://www.doc.govt.nz/templates/news.aspx?id=52500.

For the first time in 10 years North Island brown kiwi have been confirmed in the Opuiaki Forest, near Tauranga and they appear to be breeding.

"It has been exciting to find members of an original population," said David Wills DOC Project Manager. "In Tauranga, DOC has been involved with the release of captive reared kiwi on Tuhua (Mayor Island) in 2006 and in the Otanewainuku Forest last year. Together these populations will help ensure the long term survival of the species in the Western Bay of Plenty."

Jet, a specially trained kiwi dog and his handler (Lance Dew) spent 9 nights following the scent of kiwi in the Opuiaki's dense native bush funded by the BNZ Save the Kiwi Trust. The pair have been tagged with radio transmitters and will be monitored over the winter by DOC staff. This is the only known kiwi population in the Kaimai Mamaku Forest Park.

Five years of animal pest control in the Opuiaki Ecological Area is paying off for the forest and its inhabitants which include North Island brown kiwi, kokako kaka, and many other endangered species of native plants and animals.

Kiwi were once widespread throughout New Zealand but have become rare due to introduced predators and habitat destruction. Kiwi are particularly vulnerable to predation by stoats and cats until they are 9-12 months old. In the wild less than 5% of kiwi survive to adulthood.

Kiwi have not been the only species to benefit from animal pest control in the Opuiaki Forest. The number of kokako pairs has more than doubled in the last three years from six to fifteen and the total population now numbers at least 49 individuals - a dramatic increase from 27 recorded in 2003, when pest control commenced.

The Department uses a number of monitoring tools to determine the effect of pest control on forest health, including a census of kokako numbers and breeding success. Kokako eggs and chicks are particularly vulnerable to predation by rats and possums; a growing breeding population of kokako usually indicates that other forest bird species are doing well also.

Additional Facts

Nationally kiwi recovery work has been greatly supported by the BNZ Kiwi Save the Kiwi Trust and over three hundred community groups around the country.

Locally the Otanewainuku Kiwi Trust has been working since 2002 to protect the remnant population of kiwi in the Otanewainuku Forest.

The Opuiaki Forest is located south-east of Tauranga between SH29 and SH5, 20 kilometres from Otanewainuku.

Peter Cosnahan is a local resident and volunteer for the Otanewainuku Kiwi Trust and the Department of Conservation.