Brown Kiwi
A recovering population in the Remutaka Forest Park, protected by a dog exclusion zone and boosted by egg transfers to wildlife centres.
A population of North Island brown kiwi has been established in the northern part of the Remutaka Forest Park, called the Turere catchment kiwi zone. To support the population's growth, kiwi eggs are transferred by volunteers to the Pukaha / Mount Bruce National Wildlife Centre and other protected areas such as the Wairakei Sanctuary for incubation and early growth. The programme is working. In 2014, an analysis of acoustic recordings indicated that more than 100 birds were living in the park. This is a 10-fold increase from the 10 kiwi that were originally released. The kiwi zone is protected by a dog exclusion area.
- Conservation Status
- Vulnerable (IUCN Red List)
- Primary Habitat
- Temperate forests of New Zealand's North Island
Lore & Background
In the northern part of Remutaka Forest Park, a dedicated conservation zone called the Turere catchment kiwi zone was established to support North Island brown kiwi. The programme relies on volunteers who transfer kiwi eggs to the Pukaha / Mount Bruce National Wildlife Centre and other protected areas such as the Wairakei Sanctuary for incubation and early growth. By 2014, an analysis of acoustic recordings showed that more than 100 birds were living in the park—a 10-fold increase from the 10 kiwi that were originally released. The kiwi zone is protected by a dog exclusion area, though dogs may run off lead within a defined exercise area in Catchpool Valley, with restrictions applying in the rest of the park.
In Their Own Story
From just 10 kiwi originally released, the Turere catchment kiwi zone in Remutaka Forest Park has seen remarkable growth. By 2014, acoustic recordings revealed more than 100 birds now live in the park—a 10-fold increase. Volunteers play a key role, transferring eggs to the Pukaha / Mount Bruce National Wildlife Centre and the Wairakei Sanctuary for incubation and early growth. The programme is working. To safeguard this population, the kiwi zone is a dog exclusion area, though dogs may run off lead in a defined exercise area at Catchpool Valley.
Reader's Guide
The North Island brown kiwi population in Remutaka Forest Park is concentrated in the Turere catchment kiwi zone in the northern part of the park. This area is protected by a dog exclusion zone. Visitors should note that dogs may run off lead only within a defined exercise area in Catchpool Valley; restrictions apply elsewhere. The park's kiwi programme relies on volunteer egg transfers to Pukaha / Mount Bruce National Wildlife Centre and Wairakei Sanctuary. As of 2014, acoustic monitoring confirmed more than 100 kiwi in the park, up from the original 10 released.
Did You Know?
- In 2014, acoustic recordings showed more than 100 North Island brown kiwi were living in Remutaka Forest Park, a 10-fold increase from the 10 originally released.
- Kiwi eggs are transferred by volunteers to Pukaha / Mount Bruce National Wildlife Centre and Wairakei Sanctuary for incubation and early growth.
- The Turere catchment kiwi zone in the park is protected by a dog exclusion area.
- Dogs may run off lead only within a defined exercise area in Catchpool Valley; restrictions apply in the rest of the park.
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