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Click here to download a PDF format version of The Kiwi Advocate - Issue 12 - December 2007, or read the on-line version below.
ISSUE 12 - December 2007
Upcoming events
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Major Milestone Looms
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Back in 1994, when BNZ Operation Nest Egg™ began, the idea of celebrating the 1000th successful chick hatching was not even a distant gleam in a kiwi’s eye.
But the innovative kiwi recovery programme has been so successful, that milestone now looms and the 1000th BNZ Operation Nest Egg™ chick is expected to take its first breath sometime in 2008.
Numbers were boosted by last summer’s successful season, which produced 162 chicks and brought the total to 862. |
So far, the 2007/08 season has produced 67 successful hatches nationwide, with 20 chicks in incubators and a second clutch on the way. Among the chicks hatched is Kiwi Encounter’s 500th chick.We’re now counting down the 86 hatchings needed to reach BNZ Operation Nest Egg’s 1000th milestone.
Check out BNZ Operation Nest Egg™ for more information.
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‘How to Save Kiwi’ DVD
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If you are part of a group working to save kiwi, and need to train others, this instructional DVD is for you. Along with useful information on how to begin a community project, its nine chapters provide a background to New Zealand’s kiwi species, detailed information on the impacts of cats, dogs and forestry, and much more. |
Check out the 'How to Save Kiwi' DVD for more information.
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News from the Kiwi Sanctuaries - Okarito
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Okarito Kiwi Sanctuary, on the South Island’s wet and wild west coast, covers 11,000-hectares of forest near the coastal village of Okarito.
In 2003, its kiwi were found to be a new species and given the Ngai Tahu name ‘rowi’ – though the old name of Okarito brown kiwi is still used by many.
With a population of only about 250 mature birds, rowi are one of New Zealand’s most acutely threatened native species, and ranked by the Department of Conservation as ‘nationally critical’. |
That very rare status means rowi are intensively managed - the sanctuary’s stoat trapping operation, with 1500 trap tunnels, is thought to be the largest in the world.
Okarito Sanctuary’s participation in BNZ Operation Nest Egg™ has helped the rare kiwi’s population increase by 25% over six years. During 2007/08, 54 rowi pairs are being monitored. The breeding season began on 4 August when the first egg was laid. Eggs are taken to Willowbank Wildlife Reserve in Christchurch for incubation. An ‘egg timer’ transmitter lets Department of Conservation rangers know when birds are in incubation mode so that they can retrieve the eggs and send them to hatch in the safety of Willowbank. Sometimes, if the eggs can’t be removed because the burrows are too long, rangers stake out the burrows to try and capture the chick when it emerges. These young birds are also taken to Willowbank.
This year, the Okarito Kiwi Sanctuary received nearly $45,000 of the $766,000 allocated by the Save the Kiwi Trust to help develop a revolutionary ‘rowi chick timer’ transmitter. This will allow rangers to accurately pinpoint when chicks hatch, allowing less intrusive and more efficient management.
An exciting development for rowi is the establishment of a new ‘safety’ population on predator-free Motuihe Island, in the Hauraki Gulf. This translocation, which takes rowi outside their historic range, was only possible thanks to the agreement of iwi on the West Coast and Hauraki Gulf. It is hoped that further backup populations can also be established on Mana and Motutapu islands.
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Good Dog. Bad Dog
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Dogs are a mixed blessing for kiwi. Roaming dogs kill too many birds, with dramatic effects on kiwi populations.
The story of the German shepherd in Waitangi State Forest is now the stuff of legend – in 1987, over six weeks, she killed an estimated 500 kiwi, around half of the forest’s kiwi population.
A study showed that in Northland, domestic dogs killed 194 kiwi between 1990–1995, 78% of all reported kiwi deaths. |
More recently, a five-year research programme by the Department of Conservation (2000–2005) showed that if dog-related deaths could be eliminated in Northland, its brown kiwi population would sustain itself, with no management required. Not only that, the life expectancy of an adult bird would quadruple from the current 13-odd years, to something approaching the 50 years it is in other parts of their range.
Sadly, despite masses of media reports and heaps of advocacy in local communities, dogs still roam in Northland and it’s unlikely that the more than 30 community-based kiwi-care initiatives can sign off just yet. The reason dogs are so deadly is because flightless kiwi have no wing muscles to protect their chest from a dog’s clamped jaws. And their strong distinctive smell makes them irresistible and easy to track.
It may seem ironic, but dogs can also be the kiwi’s best friend – as long as they are specially trained and certified, and muzzled. The Department of Conservation puts the sensitive noses of a team of trained dogs to positive use, sniffing out ground-dwelling lizards and birds, and even some of the predators that threaten them, such as stoats. Having a dog on the team greatly increases the number of animals discovered, and helps improve the effectiveness and efficiency of the Department’s threatened species management.
One survey during 2006-2007, using a specially trained dog in Whangarei Kiwi Sanctuary, showed they are an excellent tool for systematic searches to establish the number of kiwi and their age structure.
What you can do
If you own a dog, there are many things you can do to make sure it doesn’t kill or injure kiwi:
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Always keep it under control, especially at night
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Avoid taking it into areas where kiwi are known to live, including private land
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If you hunt with dogs, keep pack numbers to the bare minimum and keep them close
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Never ever dump an unwanted dog in the bush
Even if you don’t own a dog, you can still help by:
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Reporting any roaming dogs you see to the nearest Department of Conservation office
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Fencing off kiwi habitat on your land – or better still, put a covenant on it
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Putting a kiwi-escape ramp in any cattle stops on your land
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Trapping kiwi predators – such as stoats, ferrets, weasels and wild cats
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2007 in Review
Michelle Impey, Excecutive Director
It has been another excellent year for BNZ Save the Kiwi! Thank you to all of our supporters for your generous donations of time and money.
Here are just a few highlights from the year:
| $771,142 |
Money granted for kiwi work this year |
| 41 |
Projects funded (in part) |
| 162 |
Kiwi released back to the wild for the season through BNZ Operation Nest Egg™ |
| 862 |
Total for the programme as of end of season |
| 407,382 |
Unique visitors to website for the year |
| 2 |
Major sponsors signed/renewed (Custom Fleet and Nestle) |
We launched eKiwiShop, our online retail shop and created a number of resources including a Kiwi Activity Pack for kids, How to Save Kiwi instructional DVD and a training package for kiwi call count monitoring. We also successfully held two Kiwi Forever programmes for secondary students with our partners Untouched World Foundation, Department of Conservation, Waikato University and Ngati Rangi.
As we head into 2008 we look forward to some exciting announcements, such as the arrival of our 1000th BNZ Operation Nest Egg™ chick. We will continue to expand the funds granted, create more resources to help people who are working hard to save kiwi, and most important will continue to protect kiwi and the environment they live in. Remember, we can all play a role in saving kiwi.
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Bank of New Zealand Save the Kiwi Trust News
Major Sponsor Renews Commitment
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Custom Fleet (NZ) is keeping Bank of New Zealand Save the Kiwi’s Executive Director on the road. A major sponsor of the Trust, Custom Fleet has signed up for another three-year sponsorship deal by providing Michelle with a vehicle to get around the many community kiwi projects.
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New Zealand’s leading vehicle leasing company is proud to provide practical support to the Trust - definitely a case of ‘Kiwis supporting kiwi’.
Tasty New Sponsor on the Menu
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Nestlé New Zealand has signed on for one year as a major Trust sponsor, and has hit the ground running.
Nestlé’s ‘Original Kiwi Dip’ campaign could win you a Kiwi holiday worth $5000, with 5 cents from every stickered can of reduced cream donated to the Trust (up to a maximum of $25,000). Details are on promotional packages of Nestlé reduced cream and Maggi onion soup mix. |
The Business End
The Trusts’ annual general meeting on 27 November was an opportunity to welcome a new Trustee – Mike Britton, of the Royal New Zealand Forest and Bird Society.
The seven-member Trust Board is Cameron Clyne and Bridget O’Shannessey (Bank of New Zealand), Al Morrison and Harry Broad (Department of Conservation), and community representatives, Dr John McLennan, Ruud Kleinpaste and Mike Britton.
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Walking the Talk
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All permanent staff at Bank of New Zealand are now entitled to two days of paid leave every year dedicated entirely to volunteer work – that’s thousands of volunteer days every year.
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As one of the bank’s sponsored organisations, BNZ Save the Kiwi will benefit from staff members donating their time to kiwi work, including restoration plantings and predator control. It’s another example of Bank of New Zealand’s commitment to corporate social responsibility.
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What’s New on the Web?
Time to go Shopping at the eKiwiShop
Now that Christmas is almost upon us, don’t forget that every time you shop online in the eKiwiShop you’re helping raise funds to support Bank of New Zealand Save the Kiwi initiatives – 100% of profits head straight for the Trust’s coffers. eKiwiShop has great Christmas shopping ideas – from the new Kiwi Activity Pack, to Kiwi Christmas cards and 2008 kiwi calendars.
Calendar
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All Bank of New Zealand branches are now selling the beautiful 2008 kiwi calendar, with $5 from each sale going to the BNZ Save the Kiwi Trust. Call in to buy your copy (or purchase online from eKiwiShop) and make sure you keep up-to-date in 2008 in style. |
Kiwi Activity Pack
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Kiwi Activity Pack for kids features the Trust’s colourful mascot, Sniff and contains A1 poster, 8 activity sheets (suitable for photocopying), two pages of activity ideas and a page of stickers. Ideal to give teacher for the classroom, to a family or to individual kids. Range of activities makes it suitable for variety of ages from primary to secondary. |
Kiwi Christmas Cards
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Re-usable kiwi Christmas card depicts the image of a ‘helping hand for kiwi’ on the front cover, bordered by colourful pohutakawa blossoms. Front of card is printed as a postcard on the back, tears off at the perforated fold and can be re-used by the recipient! |
Message inside reads “Wishing you a great Kiwi Christmas”. Shrink-wrapped in package of ten. Includes plain white envelope. Made in New Zealand.
Kiwi Books
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Choose from one of two great books about kiwi
- one for kids and one for grown-ups! |
Operation Nest Egg (for children)
A great resource for children eager to know more about our national bird, the book is presented in an easy-to-read format that will hold children’s attention and features lots of pictures and text boxes. Included is information on where to see kiwi in New Zealand and how Kiwi kids can help.
Kiwi - The People’s Bird for adults
In this book, the author Neville Peat describes the kiwi from every point of view, from wild bird to national emblem. What is this biological oddity called the kiwi? Exactly how many species of kiwi are there? Where do they live? What do they eat? How are people helping them to survive? Why does this bird have such a major place in the Kiwi nation’s life? This book tells the story of the largest popular movement in support of an endangered native species that New Zealand has ever seen.
For more products, check out eKiwiShop.
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Taupo Cycle Challenge
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Among the 9500 cyclists who set off around Lake Taupo early on 24 November were about 75 people wearing purpose-built cycling gear sporting the BNZ Save the Kiwi logo. Their stylish blue and white kit stood out among the masses traversing the 160-kilometre event which raised $81,000 for Heart New Zealand.
To order your own set of cycling gear, visit the eKiwiShop on the Trust website. |
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Upcoming Events
What: Generating Kiwi Funding workshop
Why: To help community groups and others working to save kiwi to identify where funding exists, and what you need to do to access it.
When: Two-day course – 3/4 April 2008
Where: Rotorua
Contact: Michelle Impey, Executive Director, savethekiwitrust@bnz.co.nz
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Did You Know?
How kiwi came to New Zealand is a mystery.
Recent research into the kiwi’s genetic makeup suggests they are linked to the Australian emu and cassowary. This suggests kiwi developed outside New Zealand, after it split from Gondwanaland 80 million years ago, and migrated here later. It is thought they arrived about 30 million years ago, but just how they got here remains a mystery.
Three explanations have been put forward. One suggests the kiwi’s ancestor was already around 60 million years ago when New Zealand broke away from Antarctica and Australia. If true, it means our national icon originated around the same time as the dinosaurs.
The second theory is that they walked here, either when New Zealand was joined to Australia, or using islands as a stepping-stone. The hypothesis is that islands formed and disappeared over 50 million years as tectonic plates moved, and kiwi could have progressed from one island to the next as they rose and fell.
The least likely explanation is that kiwi could once fly. Of all today’s ratites, only the South American tinamous can fly - and not very well. If Gondwana’s original ratites could fly, it is thought to be too much of a coincidence that only one still can. It is more logical to assume that all ratites had a flightless ancestor – which makes the tinamous the exception, not the rule.
How our national identity was born.
A popular story about how New Zealanders became ‘Kiwis’ has its roots in boot polish. In 1906, a Scottish-born inventor living in Melbourne developed a revolutionary shoe polish that could shine, preserve, waterproof and soften leather. He called it Kiwi polish, in honour of his wife’s home country.
Because it worked so well, the polish was adopted by the British and American armies during World War I, and it wasn’t long before New Zealand soldiers became ‘Kiwis’. The moniker quickly transferred to New Zealanders in general.
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Win a Kiwi Chicks Rock T-shirt” Terms and Conditions
- The Win a Kiwi Chicks Rock T-shirt contest opens on 1 November 2007 and closes at 5pm, 15 December 2007 (the “Entry Period”). There are three prizes, being three ‘kiwi chicks rock’ t-shirts, to be won
- Three winners will be drawn at random on 18 December 2007, from all new subscribers to the Kiwi Advocate who sign up with a legitimate email address during the Entry Period.
- The prizes are not transferable or redeemable for cash.
- The prize draw supervisor’s decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into.
- The winners will be notified by email using the details held by Bank of New Zealand Save the Kiwi Trust. If a winner cannot be contacted after reasonable attempts by Bank of New Zealand Save the Kiwi Trust to arrange collection, the prize will be forfeited and another winner will be drawn.
- Each winner agrees that his/her name and photograph may be used by Bank of New Zealand Save the Kiwi Trust from time to time for promotional purposes.
- Bank of New Zealand Save the Kiwi Trust reserves the right to vary, suspend or terminate the prize draw at any time.
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