Taranaki

Mount Taranaki kiwi terrain and using telemetry equipment and a trained kiwi sniffer dog to track kiwi in the bush

There are three community-led kiwi groups under way in Taranaki.

They receive money from BNZ Save the Kiwi Trust:

Kiwi species

These groups are working to help save the brown kiwi – specifically the form known as western brown kiwi.

Kiwi sanctuaries and mainland islands

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

The Department also manages six mainland islands where introduced pests are intensively managed to help protect native species. The nearest mainland island with kiwi is Boundary Stream, in Hawke’s Bay.

Seeing kiwi

The closest place to see captive kiwi in Taranaki is the Otorohanga Kiwi House, Otorohanga.

The nearest opportunity to see wild kiwi is Kiwi Encounters run by Whakamanu Wildlife Management.

You may also see kiwi if you volunteer to help the local kiwi groups.

Kiwi Sanctuaries

Five Department of Conservation sanctuaries help ensure the survival of kiwi.

Activities

Loads of fun activities to enjoy for everyone (young and old)

Did You Know?

Kiwi can get all the water they need from their food – earthworms are 85% water – allowing them to live in dry places. Being nocturnal also helps – they don’t get hot, bothered and dried out by the sun.