Nelson

Rangers giving a kiwi a check out, and, kiwi habitat

In the Nelson region, three community-led kiwi groups are under way.

This site introduces two that receive money from BNZ Save the Kiwi Trust:

Kiwi species

The two Friends groups work to help save great spotted kiwi.

Kiwi sanctuaries and mainland islands

Of the five kiwi sanctuaries managed by the Department of Conservation, the one closest to the Nelson is at Okarito.

One of the Department’s six mainland islands is the centre of the Friends of Rotoiti’s work – Rotoiti mainland island. Mainland islands are places where introduced pests are intensively managed to help protect kiwi.

Seeing kiwi

The nearest opportunities to to see captive kiwi are in Hokitika (the National Kiwi Centre) and Christchurch (Willowbank Wildlife Reserve, Orana Park and Southern Encounter Aquarium).

The nearest opportunity to possibly see wild kiwi is in the Okarito kiwi sanctuary, on the West Coast.

You may also see kiwi if you volunteer to help the Friends groups in their work.

Habitat Protection

Protecting places kiwi live is very important.

Kids raise kiwi funds

There are many creative ways schools and school children can raise money to help fund kiwi projects.

Shop to Save Kiwi

Check out our kiwi shop. 100% of profits from items purchased go directly to saving the kiwi.

Did You Know?

Kiwi live in many habitats, from sub-alpine tussock to dunelands by the coast, native forest to pine plantations, rough farmland to mangroves.