The series of storm systems that brought severe weather to Northland in mid-January affected not only people, infrastructure, and property, but kiwi too.
Kiwi Coast monitors 30 Northland brown kiwi across the region using remote telemetry equipment. Data from leg-fitted transmitters shows that kiwi responded in varied ways during the height of the storm.
A pre-emptive state of emergency was declared in Whangārei on 20 January as a heavy rain front approached. Backyard Kiwi’s Todd Hamilton, who monitors 20 kiwi for Kiwi Coast in the wider Whangārei area, reviewed the data and local observations.
Todd reports:
“Combining data from transmittered kiwi with reports from locals suggests kiwi responded to the storm in a wide range of ways. Some were much less active than usual and likely made the sensible decision to stay put in their roosts if they were dry, such as those in large, dry pampas bushes during the worst conditions.
Others were seen moving about during daylight hours on the day of the heaviest storm at Whangārei Heads, probably because their roost or burrow had been flooded. Transmitter data confirmed that several kiwi were active at around 3pm.
I suspect these kiwi were moving out of flooded roosts or burrows. Thanks to excellent summer dog control by locals and visitors, they were able to move safely to find or create new burrows, which is fantastic.”
On the wild west coast of Northland, a monitored wild adult male kiwi known as Agent 07 —named for his elusive nature—also appears to have been affected by the storm.
Agent 07 is usually a very settled bachelor kiwi who tends to remain in the same spot, despite a female frequently calling nearby. Since the storm, however, his monitoring team has noticed increased movement, with Agent 07 changing locations every few days. This suggests his preferred burrow may have collapsed or flooded, and he may be searching for or constructing a new one.
Transmitter data from the night of the storm shows Agent 07 was the most active he has been all year. While most monitored kiwi are active for around nine hours per night at this time of year, Agent 07 was active for 670 minutes—over 11 hours—even though locals reported the area was less severely impacted than other parts of Northland.
However, as shown in the graph below, his activity levels were also high in November. While he was particularly active during the storm, there is no cause for concern.
Overall, summer rain is beneficial for kiwi. Moist soil makes it easier for them to probe for food, which is especially important for newly hatched chicks with shorter, softer bills. Rain also supports healthy insect populations, helping to keep kiwi well fed.
Kiwi Coast’s Ngaire Sullivan says:
“If the Kiwi Coast monitoring data is representative of how Northland kiwi coped during the severe storm, it appears they fared well—thanks to their adaptability, sensible behaviour, and the ability to move safely away from flooded areas when necessary.
Thank you to everyone across Northland who carries out pest control and is a dedicated dog owner. All the hard work really pays off at times like these, when kiwi unexpectedly need to move and, just like us, do their best to find shelter and safety.”
