Tokoeka

Tokoeka (Apteryx australis) are thought to be the ancestral type of brown-coloured kiwi.

There are four distinct geographical forms:

Except for the Haast tokoeka, the other forms are generally larger than the brown kiwi, and some can grow as big as the great spotted kiwi.

Population status

While population numbers for the four distinct forms of tokoeka are combined, it is the most numerous kiwi species in New Zealand.

However, the Haast tokoeka, a mountain-loving kiwi, is very rare, with an estimated population of just 400.

The most abundant variety is the Stewart Island tokoeka.

The table below shows the estimated tokoeka populations in 2008, and what they could be in 10 years time, assuming a 2% annual decline for the two Fiordland tokoeka and the Stewart Island tokoeka, and an annual increase of about 7% for the Haast Tokoeka, which is being actively managed through Operation Nest Egg and a 6000 hectare stoat trapping programme.

	Estimated 2008 population	Projected 2018 population
Haast Range	300	600
Stewart Island	15,000	12,000
Northern Fiordland	10,000	8,500
Southern Fiordland	4,500	3,500

Family dynamics

Breeding pairs

As with other kiwi species, all tokoeka taxa usually have just one mate, and mate for life. If its partner dies a bird will re-mate.

Stewart Island tokoeka differ from most other kiwi species because they can live in large family groups, with an alpha male and female. Their sons and daughters stay around as helpers until a vacancy arises in a nearby territory, allowing them to disperse.

Eggs and clutches

Both Fiordland tokoeka taxa and Haast tokoeka usually have just one egg in a clutch and one clutch each year. Birds that are part of Operation Nest Egg will have two clutches in a season, which means it is likely that a pair will re-lay if it loses an egg to a predator.

With Stewart Island tokoeka, because they live in family groups with helpers available, it is not unusual for breeding pairs to have two clutches in a season.

Incubation

Haast tokoeka pairs share the incubation, with males doing about 60% of the egg sitting.

Stewart Island birds are unique among kiwi because young birds help with incubation, sitting on the egg up to 20% of the time. The alpha pair shares the remaining incubation time equally. The female takes the night shift, which is why female birds are often seen during the day.

Theories about why the Stewart Island birds are different include the effect a colder southern climate may have had in their evolution, especially during ice ages when birds would have stayed together for warmth. The North Island would have been milder, allowing kiwi living there to have more eggs and more clutches each year. Another theory is that staying together provided defence against ancient predators, such as the goshawk and giant eagle.

Chicks

Except for Haast tokoeka, tokoeka chicks stay with their family unit. On Stewart Island, this can be for up to seven years.

For Haast tokoeka, chicks are independent after about one month.

Operation Nest Egg

Operation Nest Egg is used only for the critically endangered Haast tokoeka.

Kohanga kiwi

Kohanga kiwi populations have only been established for Haast tokoeka. You can read about them here.

Forestry & Kiwi

Depending on how they are managed, exotic forests can be useful kiwi habitat.

The Trust

Our trustees help guide BNZ Save the Kiwi.

Report Signs of Kiwi

Help kiwi researchers by reporting any kiwi sign or calls.

Did You Know?

Most kiwi are strictly night-time birds. The main reason is food – when the sun goes down, underground insects move up closer to the soil’s surface. Southern tokoeka, on Stewart Island/Rakiura, are the exception.