1000th chick born under rescue programme

The chances of survival for our national icon – the kiwi – just got a whole lot better.

The 1000th kiwi chick born under kiwi rescue programme, BNZ Operation Nest Egg is about to hatch.

The North Island brown kiwi egg, currently incubating at Rotorua’s Kiwi Encounter marks a significant milestone in the nationwide programme’s 14 year history.

BNZ Operation Nest Egg is a powerful tool to reverse the decline of kiwi. It has successfully incubated, raised and returned almost 1000 kiwi back to the wild where they stand a 65 percent chance of reaching adulthood. Without the programme, only five percent of kiwi reach adulthood. 20 percent survival is needed for a population to grow.

BNZ Save the Kiwi Trust executive director, Michelle Impey says raising the 1000th kiwi chick is a huge achievement but there is still much work to be done.

"Every kiwi chick we raise and return to the wild is a symbol of hope. This landmark shows how far we’ve come, but also just how far we have still to go."

"One hundred years ago, kiwi numbered in the millions. Today there are fewer than 100,000. BNZ Operation Nest Egg helps save kiwi, one egg at a time."

Ms Impey says the 1000th kiwi egg symbolises the countless hours of work that community volunteers, Department of Conservation and captive facilities around the country have put in since BNZ Operation Nest Egg’s inception in 1994. Without it, small kiwi populations would have a very difficult road to recovery and an uncertain future.

Using BNZ Operation Nest Egg, wild kiwi eggs are collected to incubate, hatch and rear 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.

Conservation Minister, Steve Chadwick says BNZ Operation Nest Egg is a powerful tool to quickly boost numbers. Kiwi is a very fragile species, and replacement programmes like this one are vitally important.

"Where kiwi populations are very small to start with, each adult added has a big impact on the future of that species," she said.

The milestone marking kiwi egg was found in Waimarino where it will be returned 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:

• 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.
• Avoid taking dogs into kiwi areas and always keep your dog on a lead in the bush.
• 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 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.