Kiwi Species

To begin with I thought it would be good to look at the different types of kiwi that live in New Zealand.  There 6 types, many dwindling in numbers.

North Island Brown - Apteryx mantelli

This is the most common kiwi and can be found in the upper side of the North Island.  This is the type of Kiwi that we have here in Whakatane.  They have reddish brown feathers, but the ones here have a slight blondish tint.  The average female weighs about 2.8kg while the male wieghs in at about 2.2kg.  Their average height is around 40cm.  Population: c.35,000

Okarita Brown - Apteryx mantelli

In 1993 the Okarita Brown was recognised as a distinct variety of kiwi.  They live in the forests just north of the Franz Josef Glacier on the South Island and can be identified by its slightly greyish feathers and sometimes white markings on its face.  With only around 140 alive today it is one of the rarest of the kiwi family.  Unfortunately predators have killed the young kiwi chicks with none living beyond 3 months in the last 3 years.  Population: c.140                                                                                  

Stewart Island Bround or Southern Tokoeka - Apteryx australis

This is the largest of the brown kiwis, and differ as they othen come out in the daytime.  The name Tokoeka means 'weka with a walking stick'.  The females actually take a turn sitting on the egg to incubate it unlike other types of kiwis.  It is believed they mate for life.  These kiwi are very social and it is not unusual for family members to live in the same burrow.  They are mainly found in Fiordland and Stewart Island.  Population: c. 27,000

Hasst Brown or Haast Tokoeko - Apteryx australis

These Kiwis  live in the high mountin basins of the Haast region on the South Island.  They are notorious rock climbers but unfortunately their numbers are also dwindling.  Population: c. 200

Little Spotted Kiwi - Apteryx oweni

This is the smallest species of kiwi.  Their feathers are brownish black but have grey bands that go around their body.  They are now extinct on the South Island and their population can be found on a few islands around the coast, the main one being Kapiti Island.  Their population was decimated by predators such as stoat, cats and dogs.  The only Little Spotted Kiwi found on the mainland are at the Wellington Sanctuary.  Population: c. 1200

Great Spotted Kiwi - Apteryx haastii

This is the largest of all the kiwi species and is only found in the South Island.  Nelson, Westland and Canterbury are the main areas and it prefers a habitat of harsh hill country.  Unlike other kiwis, the female only lays one egg a year, ( a North Island Brown can lay up to 6).  The chicks also can spend up to a year in the burrow with its parents.  Population: c. 10-20,000

Welcome to the Whakatane Kiwi Trusts new blog

This is the new blog for the Whakatane Kiwi Trust.  We hope to be able keep you up to date with the happenings of our kiwi - but to start here is a bit of background about the project.

The Whakatane Kiwi Project

In 1999 a few North Island brown kiwi were discovered in Ohope Scenic Reserve, southeast of Whakatane and south of Ohope. Miraculously, adult kiwi had survived in the reserve without any predator control.

The discovery initiated the Whakatane Kiwi Project, a partnership between Environment Bay of Plenty and Department of Conservation, in conjunction with Te Runanga o Ngati Awa.

Te Runanga o Ngati Awa are joint managers of Moutohora and Ohope Scenic Reserve and also hold statutory acknowledgement rights over Kohi Point and Mokorua Scenic Reserves.

Since then, targeted predator control and Operation Nest EggTM have gone a long way to achieving a self-sustaining kiwi population in Ohope Scenic Reserve and Moutohora (Whale Island) and expansion of management into other areas. There are now more than 100 kiwi under management in the Whakatane area.

Whakatane Kiwi Project Goals

By 2015, the Whakatane Kiwi Project aims to have:

•At least 200 kiwi that have originated from or are managed under the Whakatane Kiwi Project

•At least 120 kiwi, including 20 breeding pairs, in the core area – double the numbers from 2010 target

•Increased the number of kiwi in the privately-owned land areas and at least four sub-populations in the expansion area

•More then 75 percent of the project’s budget coming from investments, external funders, sponsors and donations through the Whakatane Kiwi Trust.

•The project is to become more community based, with community representatives taking on leadership roles. This is also a responsibility of the Whakatane Kiwi Trust.