Two female kiwi living on Moutohora (Whale) Island in the Bay of Plenty are set to get their first boyfriend.

The bad news, however, is that they’ll have to share him.

A male kiwi is due to be released on the island today, joining two females released in 2001 as part of the Bank of New Zealand Kiwi Recovery Trust efforts.

The Department of Conservation’s Whakatane programme manager (biodiversity) Matthew Cook says the birds all originated from the Ohope scenic reserve.

“The two females have done very well on Moutohora Island, and they now weigh more than 2.2 kgs each,” he says.

“It’s wonderful to be able to transfer another bird to the island to keep them company – let’s just hope they don’t get their beaks in a bind over having to share their new friend.”

Moutohora Island is a 153 hectare predator-free island 7 kilometres from Whakatane. It has been subject to an extensive restoration programme in the past 20 years. Tuatara, tieke and kakariki live on the island.

Kieron Goodwin, Executive Director of the Bank of New Zealand Kiwi Recovery Trust, says the latest kiwi release is part of an overall project to protect and enhance the kiwi populations in the Whakatane area.

“The Bank of New Zealand Kiwi Recovery Trust is dedicated to restoration of kiwi to its natural habitat through all means at its disposal. We’re very excited about bringing our two lady kiwis a male companion and we hope it won’t be long until there are some new additions to the family!”

DOC kiwi information:
Paul Jansen 04 471 3236 or 025 410 026

DOC media liaison:
Katrina Knill 07 892 3729

Bank of New Zealand Kiwi Recovery Trust:
Kieron Goodwin, ph: 09 375 1084 or 029 478 4610

The Bank of New Zealand Kiwi Recovery Trust was established in November 2002 by the Bank of New Zealand and the Department of Conservation, building on an 11-year sponsorship relationship.  The Bank of New Zealand Kiwi Recovery Trust is responsible for public awareness and education, fundraising, sponsorship and grant allocations for kiwi recovery nationally.