On Tuesday Todd Hamilton came from Backyard Kiwi, with the two kiwis that were to be released into the Bream Head reserve.
Excerpt from Whangarei Heads School Newsletter by Denise Humphries, Acting School Principal.
The visit had been rescheduled from Monday due to the weather, so unfortunately Rooms Two and Three missed out this time, as they were at summer sports. However this gave the opportunity for the junior classes and Room One to see the kiwi . Although there were two kiwis Todd just brought out the girl kiwi, who has been given the name Nova.
Before seeing the kiwi, Todd and Adam the Bream Heads ranger, talked to the classes about the pests that threaten the kiwi, and about the program of introducing kiwi back into Whangarei Heads. Todd showed the children how he tracks the kiwis, who have a transmitter attached to them. Dallas who seems to like to stay around our school environment was tracked as being behind the library in some toi toi, how lucky are we to have kiwi right on our doorstep.
Bernie from Limestone Island was also part of the group, because Limestone Island is where Nova and Twilight were brought from, as this island is a kiwi nursery. Nova was far from happy when Todd woke her up to see the classes and made a lot of noise. However the children were very quiet and sensible and she soon settled down. Todd hopes that in getting children like ours involved in looking out for the kiwi, there are more chances for the kiwis to survive. From the questions and comments from the children, they certainly want to be involved in the kiwis continued existence in our environment.
Room One are hoping to adopt an area on Limestone Island that they will plant and establish ground cover for the kiwi and other creatures that have been re-introduced to the area. Rooms Five and Six will be visiting Limestone Island on their camp, later in the year, to see what Room One is developing.
