1000th BNZ Operation Nest Egg™ kiwi hatches

The nation’s 1000th kiwi chick born under the conservation programme, BNZ Operation Nest Egg™, has hatched.

’Hūpai’ pecked and pushed its way into the world at 3am January 17 at Rotorua’s Kiwi Encounter.

This special North Island brown kiwi marks a significant milestone in the programme’s 14 year history.

BNZ Save the Kiwi Trust executive director, Michelle Impey says Hūpai’s arrival is a symbol of hope for our national icon.

‘I would like to thank the hundreds of community volunteers, Department of Conservation staff and workers at captive facilities around the country that have got us to this point.

‘Without BNZ Operation Nest Egg™ and everyone involved, small kiwi populations would have a very difficult road to recovery and an uncertain future.’

One hundred years ago, kiwi numbered in the millions. Today there are less than 100,000.

BNZ Operation Nest Egg™ is a powerful tool to reverse the decline of kiwi. Wild kiwi eggs are collected to be incubated, hatched and reared in captivity. When about four weeks old, chicks are sent to a safe crèche – either a predator-free island or mainland sanctuary – until they reach around one kilogram. Only then are they returned to their wild home. This method has proved so successful it has been adopted as a tool to save other endangered species.

Almost 1000 kiwi have now been returned to the wild where they stand a 65 percent chance of surviving their vulnerable first year of life. Without BNZ Operation Nest Egg™, only five percent of kiwi reach adulthood, whereas 20 percent survival is needed for a population to grow.  BNZ Operation Nest Egg™ increases at least 7 times the chance of a kiwi making it to adulthood

Conservation Minister, Steve Chadwick says "This is a tremendous achievement for everyone involved, and is also an excellent example of the benefits of partnerships between the  Department and other organisations; increasing the long term survival of some of New Zealand's most precious and endangered wildlife." 

Hūpai will be returned to its wild home of Waimarino, near Wanganui once it reaches goal weight, enabling it to successfully fight off predators.

The main reason for declining numbers of kiwi in the wild is the loss of chicks to predators such as stoats, ferrets, weasels, cats and dogs.

Everyone can play a role in saving kiwi, whether you live near kiwi populations or not by:

• Avoid taking dogs into kiwi areas and always keep your dog on a lead in the bush
• Not dumping unwanted cats or ferrets in the wild
• Making a donation to BNZ Save the Kiwi Trust at any Bank of New Zealand branch or ATM or online with credit card on the Make a Donation page.
• Volunteer your time at a local kiwi protection group or habitat restoration project
• If you are a Bank of New Zealand customer, you can choose a Save the Kiwi EFTPOS card or cheque book.

For further information, photo/filming or interview opportunities please contact:

Penny Hartill - Media relations advisor to BNZ Save the Kiwi Trust on (09) 445 7525, 021 721 424, or email phartill@xtra.co.nz

Editorial information

BNZ Save the Kiwi Trust was established in November 2002 by Bank of New Zealand and the Department of Conservation, building on a sponsorship relationship that started in 1991. Bank of New Zealand Save the Kiwi Trust is responsible for public awareness and education, fundraising, sponsorship and grant allocations for kiwi recovery nationally. In 2007 alone, $771,000 was allocated to community and DoC kiwi projects. This money came from Bank of New Zealand, its staff, customers and supporters of BNZ Save the Kiwi Trust.