Three young male kiwi attracted more than 300 curious and enthusiastic visitors to Matapouri’s Te Rangiwhakaahu marae on April 14th.
Kiwi Coast brought together hapū, iwi, community groups and kiwi specialists to make the event possible that spanned one coastline of Whangarei to another. From the dawn kiwi capture on Matakohe-Limestone Island to the evening release at Matapouri, communities and mana whenua worked together with a shared vision of kiwi kaitiakitanga.
The kiwi were raised on Matakohe/Limestone Island in Whangarei Harbour which serves as a kiwi creche. They were each fitted with a tiny radio transmitter by Kiwi Coast and Department of Conservation kiwi specialists so their movements can be traced as they settle into their new home territory.
The kiwi were welcomed onto the mainland at Onerahi with a whakawaatea led by Te Parawhau kaumatua Fred Tito. At this point one of the kiwi was named JJ in memory of the late Jeroen Jongejans who co-founded Dive Tutukaka and supported many community conservation causes.
The other two birds – Parangarahu and Te Wairoa – were named later in the day by the Chairman of the Te Whanau a Rangiwhakaahu Hapu Trust, Aperahama Edwards. Their names reflect the coastal area around Matapouri and the two main streams that flow into Matapouri estuary.
“We are really proud of our shared efforts to restore our taonga and raise community awareness. As mana whenua in Matapouri we are committed to the protection of our taonga,” Mr Edwards said.
Chairman of the Te Whanau a Rangiwhakaahu Hapu Trust Aperahama Edwards looks on with kaumatua Charlie Mackie holding kiwi Te Wairoa. Photo: Kieran Pullman, Kiwi Coast
The gathering at the marae was organised by Tutukaka Landcare Coalition (TLC) and generously hosted by Te Whanau a Rangiwhakaahu hapu.
For many of the 300+ strong crowd it was the first time they had seen Aotearoa’s national icon alive and up close. For others it was a chance to reacquaint themselves with the extensive trapping and habitat restoration work underway locally and how they can help care for kiwi by being dedicated dog owners.
After their brief afternoon encounter with the large gathering of well wishers, chaperoned at every step by accredited Kiwi Coast kiwi handlers, the young kiwi were placed in specially prepared burrows just on dusk.
TLC chairman Mike Camm said it was part of an ongoing Kiwi Coast initiative to boost kiwi numbers in areas where sufficient predator control and dog management had been undertaken to ensure the young translocated birds had a good chance of long term survival.
Mr Camm acknowledged the longstanding support and partnership held with Te Whanau a Rangiwhakaahu hapū and their important role as Mana I te whenua of Matapouri.
