Whitu the wild Whangarei Heads kiwi has well and truly earned his transmitter-retirement after 15 years! Article by Todd Hamilton, Backyard Kiwi Project Manager We have been radio monitoring Whitu for 15 years now. He has been a fantastic ambassador for the kiwi at the Heads. Monitoring his movements and following his life has … [Read more...]
Storm Hit Kiwi High and Dry
Big storms and intense rainfall have seen Northland kiwi switch gears from drought-survival to storm-survival overnight. Kiwi that had hunkered down in damp valley's since the drought have suddenly had to cope with flooding and huge slips. Following the movements of ten transmittered wild kiwi in the Whangarei Heads area gives an insight into … [Read more...]
Rare Pateke Flourishing on Kiwi Coast
Analysis of the 2020 Annual Pateke Flock Count data has confirmed that rare pateke are flourishing on the Kiwi Coast. Pateke (brown teal) are New Zealand's rarest mainland duck. Kiwi Coast works with community groups, specialist staff at the Department of Conservation (DOC) and NorthTec to assist with the Annual Northland Pateke Flock Counts. … [Read more...]
Drought-Stricken Kiwi Rescued
Eighteen drought-stricken Northland kiwi have been rescued from the Motuora Island kiwi crèche in the Hauraki Gulf after dry conditions reached critical levels. With Auckland still in drought in June, food and water levels on Motuora Island had reached critical levels. The island is a crèche for young kiwi chicks raised under the Operation Nest … [Read more...]
Kiwi Coast Listening Blitz #2 Update
Kiwi Coast's second "Kiwi Listening Blitz" is now well underway. Fieldworker Karen Verdurmen switched from fieldwork to data analysis during the Covid-19 lockdown, and reports on the results to date... Article by Karen Verdurmen. December 2019 marked the start of Kiwi Coast's second Kiwi Listening Blitz in Northland. With the help of … [Read more...]
Mahinepua Kiwi Fit & Healthy Despite Drought
Fred and Graham - two transmitter wearing wild kiwi monitored by the Mahinepua-Radar Hill Landcare Group recently passed a health check with flying colours despite the drought. Sustained pest control by the landcare group is thought to have helped them beat the odds. Article by Lesley Baigent, Kiwi Coast Far North Coordinator, and Marj Cox, … [Read more...]
Wandering Kiwi During Lockdown
Kiwi Trackers have been working hard to find where transmitted kiwi wandered during the lockdown and ensure they are all fit and healthy. Of the 8500+ estimated wild kiwi in Northland, about 30 wear transmitters for monitoring and advocacy purposes. Monitoring transmitted kiwi was not considered an essential service during the four week … [Read more...]
Kiwi Return to Onekura!
Great news for the Onekura Road Trappers - the kiwi have returned! Kiwi Coast put in acoustic monitors called "Kiwi Listening Devices" before the Covid-19 lockdown in the Onekura Rd Reserve Bush (Puketotara Reserve) as part of the five yearly Kiwi Listening Blitz. It is expected that with increasing pest control and community efforts, kiwi … [Read more...]
Kaimamaku Stoats Under Attack
Kaimamaku Landcare is delighted to report that their new Kiwi Coast predator traps are catching well. Professional trapper, Rowan Taylor, was thrilled to catch 4 stoats during the first check of 25 new traps supplied by the Kiwi Coast. "As part of my work, I check hundreds of traps every week, and might catch a stoat or two each time, which is … [Read more...]
Kiwi Chicks Safe To Stay at Tanekaha
The Tanekaha CPCA is proud to announce the arrival of two kiwi chicks! And the good news is that thanks to the hard work of the local community, for the first time the area is deemed safe enough for these kiwi chicks to be allowed to stay. In the past, kiwi eggs and chicks have been removed by Department of Conservation staff to the safe keeping … [Read more...]