Little Spotted Kiwi to return to the region
After almost a century-long absence from Te Tauihu, kiwi pukupuku (little spotted kiwi) are coming back to Nelson.
Approximately 40 kiwi pukupuku are being translocated into the Brook Waimārama Sanctuary (Sanctuary) from their Kapiti Island breeding ground in early May. The kiwi translocation follows the reintroduction of tuatara, kākāriki karaka, and powelliphanta into the Sanctuary over recent years.
Together with its larger relations, the great spotted kiwi and rowi, the kiwi pukupuku used to roam the Nelson area, before all three species became locally extinct after the arrival of introduced predators.
Bringing kiwi pukupuku to the Sanctuary marks the first attempt to re-establish the species on the mainland of the South Island. The kiwi pukupuku project is a partnership with Te Rūnanga o Toa Rangatira whose interests encompass both sides of Ruakawa Moaana (the Cook Strait), Te Tauihu iwi, the Sanctuary, Save the Kiwi, and the Department of Conservation.
Matt Hippolite from Te Rūnanga o Toa Rangatira said the iwi is proud of the role Kapiti Island has been able to play in bringing this taonga species back from the brink of extinction.
“Kapiti Island is a special place that has enabled kiwi pukupuku and other taonga species to thrive,” Mr Hippolite said.”For Te Rūnanga o Toa Rangatira, it has been an honour to be the kaitiaki of these manu, as their population recovers to a point to start returning them to their whenua.”
Turi Hippolite from Ngāti Koata, one of the iwi in the Nelson region, said welcoming little spotted kiwi back to the South Island will be a momentous occasion.
“Te Waipounamu is the traditional home for kiwi pukupuku so being the first region to welcome them back to their whenua in almost a century is a privilege.”
Save the Kiwi CEO Michelle Impey said it is incredibly important to see kiwi pukupuku being taken back to Te Tauihu.
“It was believed that kiwi pukupuku were gone from most parts of the South Island by the 1930s, so it is a significant conservation milestone to be able to return them to the Nelson area” said Ms Impey. “Congratulations to the Brook Waimārama Sanctuary for the development of the Sanctuary into a safe haven for kiwi to be reintroduced to Te Tauihu.”
Sanctuary ecologist Robert Schadewinkel said being given the permission to have kiwi pukupuku in the Sanctuary is an “incredible privilege.”
“The Sanctuary team is very excited to be able to reintroduce kiwi pukupuku to the region as part of our ecosystem efforts and visitor experience offering, after so many years in the planning,” said Schadewinkel. “Translocating the threatened kiwi pukupuku is vitally important in helping to sustain and grow their population, and it has to be done extremely carefully to ensure their safety. It has been great to work with the experts at Save the Kiwi, who have considerable translocation experience.”
“This project was the vision of the original founders of the Sanctuary and marks 20 years made up of thousands of hours of volunteers and staff – past and present – who have created the environment in which kiwi can once again thrive in Nelson. The project has also had significant support from many people, organisations, and businesses, such as Jens Hansen, which set up the Kiwi Establishment Fund in 2022, Save the Kiwi, and Nelson City Council.”
Nelson Mayor Nick Smith said the announcement that approximately 40 little spotted kiwi are to be released in May into the Brook Waimārama Sanctuary represents a momentous conservation achievement.
“Kiwi have not lived in Nelson for around 100 years due to predators such as stoats and this reintroduction is a tribute to the visionaries, volunteers and sponsors who have worked so hard over 20 years to create this sanctuary with its predator-proof fence. I cannot wait to hear the call of the kiwi in our own backyard. It will also be a boost for Nelson’s visitor industry to have kiwi so close to the city and in a natural setting.”
The translocation will take place in early May, with more details available soon. In the meantime, the community can get involved by following the early stages of the translocation on the Sanctuary’s Instagram or Facebook, and keeping an eye out around Nelson for some kiwi-related activity.
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