The first two kiwi chicks conceived in the wild at Pukaha Mount Bruce for more than a century were released into the forest today.  They were joined by a chick produced by Rangi and Tua, the kiwi in the Pukaha Mount Bruce kiwi nocturnal house.

The chicks have all been hand reared since they hatched in incubators last year, on 27 September, 21 October, and 12 December 2005. Another chick produced in captivity is awaiting release when it reaches the suitable release weight of 1200gm. It hatched on 17 February 2006.

An additional 13 captive North Island brown kiwi from around New Zealand will be also released into the forest over the coming months, including Rangi and Tua, who are to be replaced in the nocturnal house by captive kiwi from elsewhere. The transfers will boost the wild population to 24.

Department of Conservation Wairarapa Area Manager Derrick Field believes that this release marks a critical turning point for the kiwi population at Pukaha Mount Bruce.

“We now know that with current levels of pest control, North Island brown kiwi will stay and breed here in the Pukaha Mount Bruce forest.  The release of these, and further kiwi into the forest later on this year, bodes well for the future of the kiwi population at Pukaha Mount Bruce.”

Ten local schools participating in the Pukaha Mount Bruce “Adopt-a-kiwi” programme were invited to the kiwi release.  “Adopt a kiwi” schools have been involved in Pukaha restoration fundraising activities since late 2004 and each school receives regular updates regarding their adopted kiwi’s progress in the forest. 

Schools present at the release included Carterton, Mangatainoka, Douglas Park, St Patricks and Pahiatua Schools and St Matthews Collegiate.  Carterton and Mangatainoka Schools ‘adopted’ two of the kiwi released yesterday and student representatives were invited to help release ‘their’ kiwi into the burrow.

Mangatainoka School student Jana Donald said she had been selected to attend the release on behalf of the school because of the interest she had shown in the kiwi video in the Pukaha Mount Bruce Kiwi Nocturnal House.

“I think that kiwi eggs are really interesting.  Today was fun because I got to hold a kiwi – I’ve never held a kiwi before – it felt very soft.”

The first chick to be conceived in the wild at Pukaha Mount Bruce, is the offspring of ‘Mr Kiwi,’ transferred from Willowbank Wildlife Reserve in Christchurch, released into the Pukaha Mount Bruce forest in December 2003.  His mate was also from Willowbank Wildlife Reserve and released on the same day as Mr Kiwi.  

The second chick to be conceived in the wild is the offspring of Manu Tapu and Kopa Kopa which were released into the wild on 27 October 2004, after being transferred from their captive breeding home at Otorohanga Kiwi House. 

The establishment of this new kiwi population in December 2003 on part of the mainland from where they became extinct well over a century ago, was a first in the history of New Zealand.

The Pukaha restoration project relies heavily on private and corporate sponsorship to achieve its goals and since the project commenced in April 2001, $300,000 has been raised towards pest control by the community. 

Corporate sponsor DB Breweries is a key supporter of the project, through its local brewery, the Tui Brewery in Mangatainoka and has committed $250,000 towards the forest restoration over a period of five years.  Managing Director of DB Breweries, Brian Blake is very keen to see a viable population of kiwi established in the Pukaha Mount Bruce forest.

“Our support is based on the desire to play an active role in the preservation of some of New Zealand’s national treasures. 

“The successful reintroduction of threatened bird species into the mainland such as kiwi as well as the protection of existing treasures like the tui bird are key to our partnership,” says Brian Blake

Other major sponsors include WN Pharazyn Charitable Trust, Tranzit Coachlines (Wairarapa Limited), Trust House Limited, Oldfield Group Limited.  The project has also received considerable support from the Wairarapa Times Age and 89.3More FM.

The Pukaha Restoration Project is a co-operative venture between the Department of Conservation, the National Wildlife Centre Trust, Rangitaane O Wairarapa, Greater Wellington Regional Council and Horizons Regional Council, and has also seen kaka and kokako successfully reintroduced into the forest.

ENDS

For more information about the Pukaha Mount Bruce kiwi release please contact Derrick Field, phone 06 377 0700.

Pukaha Mount Bruce website:  www.mtbruce.org.nz

Bank of New Zealand Kiwi Recovery Trust: Michelle Impey, 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 a 12-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.

Bank of New Zealand Kiwi Recovery website:   www.kiwirecovery.org.nz