Rogan Colbourne is a full-time kiwi researcher with the Department of Conservation. 

His research specialities include Little Spotted Kiwi and Operation Nest Egg – he is national co-ordinator of this programme.  Rogan also leads the Kiwi Call Scheme. 

This work portfolio means Rogan spends a lot of his time in the field, in remote places like the Haast Range in South Westland, where he researches the ‘nationally critical’ Haast Tokoeka.  Most of the time his only companions on these trips are specially trained and muzzled kiwi dogs whose sensitive noses are ideal for locating kiwi in the wild.

When not working with kiwi, Rogan spends his time restoring a patch of native forest, encouraging native birds (unfortunately no kiwi) and breeding a menagerie of farm animals on a lifestyle block in the lower North Island.

Why Kiwi?

Rogan was first attracted to kiwi research back in 1980.  He had always been interested in New Zealand’s native birds and, because of their significance to New Zealand, kiwi had to be top of the list. 

The good news for a researcher was that parts of the kiwi story were still a blank slate in 1980.  Although people had studied kiwi eggs, kiwi anatomy, kiwi bones and kiwi classification, no-one had yet studied birds in the wild.  “Most of the work had been with birds in zoos or in captivity.  Nothing had been done on wild kiwi or where they live.”  It was a gap Rogan was happy to fill.

High Points

Rogan reckons he has experienced many high points during his 23-years of studying kiwi – namely the high hills in the wilds of South Westland.

The first career highlight he recalls arose during the first-ever study of a wild kiwi population, at Waitangi State Forest.  Everything was new.  “I remember finding out that kiwi are territorial birds and that they hang out as pairs.  From knowing nothing of these birds as wild animals, now we knew something.  That felt good.”

His most recent highlight came to light only recently.  Studies with Dr Hugh Robertson, of birds on Kapiti Island, suggest they are incredibly long lived.  “We know some of the birds there are already 40-years old, theoretically they can live to 60-years,” Rogan says.

Up to now many people thought kiwi lived for just 10 and 20-years.

Low Points

The continued decline of New Zealand’s kiwi populations, largely at the jaws of stoats, are the low point for Rogan.  “We have a huge stoat problem.”

Hopes for the Future

Rogan hopes for a New Zealand where predators like stoats have been dealt with, and people can again hear the noise of kiwi at night.  “I’d like people to be able to hear up to 60 calls an hour, like you can now in places that are managed, Kapiti and Stewart islands.  That’s what I would like for the future.”