Kiwi’s are saving kiwi’s on the Kiwi Coast, proving they are their own best ambassadors as they engage the hearts and minds of everyone they meet. Close encounters with wild kiwi are inspiring people from all walks of life to get involved and ensure we have kiwi forever.
This article follows two kiwi ambassadors – Wiggle and Stevie – through their day’s work on March 22nd as they graduate from their island kiwi creche, return to the mainland and are finally released in their new home. Not an easy day’s work by any means, but one that potentially helps them save their own species from dwindling to extinction.
It’s a big day on the Kiwi Coast as two more kiwi – Wiggle and Stevie – graduate from their Matakohe Limestone Island creche and are returned to the nearby mainland.
Instead of sleeping, Wiggle and Stevie have work to do. Today they are ambassadors for their kind, engaging hearts and minds and encouraging dog owners to keep walking their dogs on leads and tying them up at night.
The kiwi are only handled by these Accredited Kiwi Handlers and the crowd are well schooled on staying quiet. At the first sign of stress the kiwi will be returned to their nice safe transport boxes and everyone is keen to prolong their kiwi encounter for as long as possible.
Wiggle handles his new fame well and is comfortable with his ambassador role – barely shedding a feather. He seems comfortable in Bernie’s expert grasp as his adoring fans look on awestruck, taking photos and relishing every moment.
This time Todd and Bernie give more of a science lesson to the 64 senior students. The kids are invited to close their eyes and imagine New Zealand a 1000 years ago, when there were no ground based mammals and kiwi were free to roam in the absence of the introduced predators that they must contend with today such as ferrets, stoats, feral cats and dogs. Then it’s showtime and the students and staff are equally enthralled as they meet Wiggle and Stevie. The kids leave the classroom resolved to keep the kiwi that live amongst them in their backyards, farms and lifestyle blocks safe from harm.
Close to 150 people arrive to listen and learn about kiwi before Wiggle and Stevie once again inspire the awestruck crowd to do their bit and help them and their kind thrive.
As evening falls, the two superstar ambassadors are released into their pre-dug burrows. As they are wished a long and fruitful life from the onlookers, the kiwi can rest knowing that they have touched the hearts of over 200 people. Hopefully, every single one has come away with a treasured kiwi experience and firm commitment to ensuring Wiggle, Stevie and their fellow kiwi continue to thrive on the Kiwi Coast.
