Forestry Managers

In 1995, an accord was signed by the New Zealand Forest Owners Association, New Zealand Farm Forestry Association, Royal Forest and Bird Protection Society, WWF-New Zealand, Federated Mountain Clubs and Maruia Society.

Among the ecological principles in the ‘Principles for Commercial Plantation Forest Management in New Zealand’ is:

Where threatened species are known to occur within plantation forests and their presence is considered significant by the Department of Conservation, plantation managers shall consult with the Department of Conservation on management practices with the objective of conserving the population.

What you can do

There are some general rules of thumb in preparing, maintaining and harvesting a kiwi-friendly forest. They include:

• Avoid using fire to clear land. If possible, avoid roller crushing and bulldozing as well.
  
• Plant the forest in small compartments that vary in age so birds have a chance to find a new home when mature trees are harvested.
  
• Leave pockets of native vegetation, and maintain native bush along streamsides and wetlands.
  
• Control predators and only allow reliable hunters with well-trained dogs to hunt in your forest.
  
• Avoid harvesting from June to October, the main kiwi nesting time.
  

The Department of Conservation is able to provide advice for major forestry developments, and more information is available in the BNZ Save the Kiwi How to Save Kiwi DVD.

For more ideas and detail you can downlaod a copy of the Guide to Forestry Management for Brown Kiwi in our resources section.