Todd Hamilton

Since 2002, Todd Hamilton has worked for the Whangarei Heads Landcare forum, trapping predators and co-ordinating trapping by private landowners.

Todd also monitors a sample of kiwi wearing radio transmitters, and is in charge of the forum’s BNZ Operation Nest Egg™ programme. When the chicks are big enough to come off predator-free Matakohe-Limestone Island in Whangarei Harbour, he releases them onto private land in the Whangarei Heads area and monitors their progress.

As well, he carries out kiwi publicity and advocacy work in the community, especially to encourage dog owners to keep their animals under control.

Why kiwi?

Todd had trapped possums as a youngster, and when his family moved back to Whangarei in the mid-1990s, he began trapping possums and rats to help protect the native forest, including puriri trees. When he discovered there were kiwi in the area, he began trapping stoats, cats and ferrets, and things snowballed from there. As well as trapping, Todd got involved in monitoring for the community kiwi recovery project. The more he did, the more his enthusiasm to have a healthy kiwi population at Whangarei Heads was fueled.

High point

Todd says there are many high points. ‘I am proud to be part of a team effort that has doubled the number of local kiwi in the past five years, and feel privileged to be able to be part of helping people look after kiwi in their backyards (and paddocks). Witnessing the “kiwi smiles”, that ridiculous happy grin that people get after seeing Operation Nest Egg kiwi released back into the area, is priceless.’

Low point

The low points are when wandering dogs kill adult kiwi that he has monitored since they were small chicks. ‘After trapping hard and watching these kiwi reach adulthood after three or four years,’ Todd says ‘it is gut wrenching to pick up a mortality signal from the transmitter of one of my old friends.’

Thoughts for the future

The future is to keep on keeping on, he says. ‘With a helping hand by way of stoat trapping and responsible dog control by local communities, their kiwi populations are on the comeback.’ As well, ongoing scientific study, technical support and funding are crucial.

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Did You Know?

Male kiwi are extremely territorial, strong and often bad tempered. Fights involve high jumps, slashing blows, kicks and tears using their powerful legs and feet, and razor-sharp claws. Wounds can be fatal.