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A female kiwi has been struck and killed on Takatu Road, prompting an urgent plea for motorists to slow down and take wildlife warning signs seriously.
The bird was killed by a vehicle in the Christian Bay area, a loss that has hit particularly hard for those involved in protecting and rebuilding the local kiwi population.
Tāwharanui Open Sanctuary Society (TOSSI) says the death is a tragic reminder that the “Kiwi Crossing” signs dotted along local roads are not there simply as a novelty.
Kiwi are regularly on the move after dark and can cross roads in areas surrounding Tāwharanui and Christian Bay, putting them directly in the path of vehicles.
Unlike many animals, kiwi cannot be relied upon to move out of the way of an approaching car.
When caught in bright headlights, the birds can become overwhelmed and freeze on the road rather than flee. This leaves them particularly vulnerable when vehicles are travelling too fast for drivers to stop in time.
For a species that has required enormous effort to protect and restore, the loss of even one bird matters.
Tāwharanui Open Sanctuary and the surrounding area have benefited from years of predator control and conservation work, much of it undertaken by volunteers committed to giving native wildlife a chance to thrive.
The presence of kiwi beyond the sanctuary is a sign of that work paying off, but it also creates a responsibility for people travelling through their habitat.
TOSSI is asking motorists to treat kiwi warning signs as they would any other serious road hazard and reduce their speed accordingly.
Extra care is particularly important around dawn, dusk and at night, when kiwi are most likely to be active.
The message to drivers is simple: slow down, stay alert and expect the unexpected.
A few seconds saved on Takatu Road is not worth the life of a kiwi.
