Motukawanui Island is one of the Cavalli group of Islands, situated off the coast of Matauri Bay in Northland. The Island is free from possums, mustelids and cats.

In 1995 Motukawanui was chosen as a ‘creche’ to release ten North Island brown kiwi chicks from around Northland as part of the first Operation Nest Egg programme. The chicks were released on to the Island to see how well they would do if given the opportunity to live in a predator free environment.

Operation Nest Egg is a project involving removing eggs and chicks from wild kiwi nests, hatching and raising the chicks in captivity until the chicks are large enough to cope with predators, then releasing them back into the wild and is part of the Bank of New Zealand Kiwi Recovery Trust Programme. The programme is a joint partnership between the Department of Conservation and the Bank of New Zealand. Another two chicks were released in 1996.

During May, staff from the Department of Conservation, with assistance from volunteers, headed out to Motukawanui to survey the kiwi population. Rogan Colbourne, DOC Science Officer for Science and Research Division in Wellington, who has headed the Motukawanui project, said “Since the birds were released, we have conducted some surveys, however this is the first major survey that has been carried out.”

“Twenty eight kiwis were heard or seen from three listening stations set up around the main track on the Island. Eight birds were caught at night using taped kiwi calls and Maggie, the kiwi dog. The four females and four males were all found to be in good condition. Considering only half the Island was surveyed, the results of the survey show an increase of 500% in kiwi numbers over the last eight years”.

According to DOC Ranger Steve McManus, who has also been involved in the project, “This is a very encouraging result and as there is still a lot of unused space on Motukawanui, we are expecting the population to continue to grow rapidly in numbers over the next few years. In fact, in ten years time Motukawanui could be one of the best places in the country to see North Island brown kiwi”.

Motukawanui is open to the public and there is a hut available for people to stay in. Steve went on to say that “It’s really important that the ‘No Dogs’ rule that is in place is adhered to, as people have been known to bring dogs ashore and this could have serious consequences on the kiwis and other birdlife. The beaches of Motukawanui are also home to the endangered New Zealand dotterel. A ‘No Camping’ rule is in place, as the risk of fire is another huge threat to the kiwi population”.

Motukawanui is on the list for a future rat eradication programme. DOC staff believe that the Island has potential as an Open Reserve and, in the future, other endangered species like the North Island robin, saddlebacks, bellbirds and kakariki could be re-introduced onto the Island.

For further information or to book the Motukawanui Hut call the Bay of Islands Area Office on (09) 407 8474.