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Kiwi released at Langs earlier this year have been on quite the adventure around the Brynderwyn Hills and Mangawhai, much to the delight of conservation groups and local landowners.
Three juvenile translocated Northland brown kiwi were released on privately owned conservation land at Te Waorahi for the first time earlier this year as part of ongoing efforts to establish a thriving kiwi population in the area.
Since being purchased by the Copeland family in 2020, the 194-hectare Te Waorahi, once earmarked for housing development as part of the Langs View Subdivision, has been transformed into a haven for native birds and wildlife thanks to extensive trapping, pest eradication and dog control measures implemented by community-led conservation groups and local landowners.
Small leg-fitted radio transmitters allow Piroa Conservation Trust (PCT) to closely monitor the movements of the kiwi as they explore their new surroundings. While the two female kiwi stayed close to the release site, male kiwi Rangiora ventured much further.
Trust staff tracked him as he made his way off the Brynderwyn Hills and into the Eco Valley and King Road area, where he was found in a residential backyard.
“I had to go and knock on the door and give them a heads-up that there was a kiwi in their back garden. It was wonderful, and the people were so excited,” Piroa Conservation Trust’s Katie Gibb says.
Rangiora was found tucked up under a woodpile, much to the surprise of the homeowners, who told Katie they had never seen a kiwi in the 15 years they have lived at the property. After spending some time on King Road, he then took a cheeky trip to a local winery before making his way back into the Brynderwyns.
“Rangiora went for a big walkabout,” Katie says. “Kiwi, especially young, translocated males, will often go quite far looking for vacant territory, good habitat and a female. We think he travelled around 15 kilometres, but he seems settled now.”
With the kiwi exploring their new surroundings, the focus now turns to ensuring their protection. With dog attacks and vehicle strikes among the leading causes of kiwi deaths in Northland, the trust is urging people to keep dogs secured at night and to always keep them on a lead in or around kiwi habitat. Motorists around King Road and Eco Valley are also asked to take extra care when driving, especially at night.
“We have a real issue in Northland with dogs going for kiwis. Kiwi have a very distinctive smell, which is why so many dogs manage to find them. One of the most important things people can do as responsible pet owners is keep their dogs under control.”
To find out more about the work being done by Piroa Conservation Trust or to get involved, visit piroaconservation.org.nz.
