In 2017, Pataua North Landcare released 13 kiwi into their pest controlled area.
One of them was a young female kiwi named Piper. She quickly dispersed to explore her new home and as a wild kiwi, free to roam, it was possible she’d never be encountered again. As luck would have it however, her story can now be continued…
Article by Anne Stewart, Pataua North Landcare
Piper – Our Largest Female’s Story
Named by Russell and Piper Mortimer, Piper was released at Pataua North in October 2017 on the Wigley’s Farm.
Three birds were released from Matakohe Limestone Island at that time. These birds had been taken to the Matakohe Limestone Island kiwi creche in the Whangarei Harbour by Todd Hamilton as part of the Operation Nest Egg program.
Piper, whose father was “Hanga”, was uplifted from Lovell’s Farm west of Whangarei as a tiny chick. Her history is documented more precisely than many.
She remained on Matakohe Limestone until near her third “hatchday”. She was released near Elaine’s House in October 2017 with two other birds Quincey and an unnamed bird LC1505.
At her release Piper was 33 months old and in great condition weighing 2400g. She disappeared soon after her release.
In February 2023 Piper was rediscovered by Carl with a wild male.
After five and a half years, this nine year old kiwi female is majestic. She is some 450g heavier and has the longest bill of our birds.
By August her first known chick hatched. Her mate the wild bird of unknown origin has been adopted by Robyn Smale and is now known as Henare.
Pipers’ kiwi chick, August 2023. Photo: Anne Stewart
Pataua North Landcare is one of the community groups involved in the Kiwi Link project in eastern Whangarei. Find out more about Kiwi Link and the work being done to boost the local wild kiwi population here.
