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Drivers are being urged to slow down and look for kiwi as the birds begin venturing into new areas around Mangawhai.
Two new signs on Cove Road will warn motorists that kiwi may be crossing as their population grows and spreads across Northland.
One sign, for drivers heading north, has been placed at the corner of Woodleigh Lane and Cove Road, at the northern entrance to The Sanctuary.
The second sign is around 250m south of the Langsview Track carpark. Both signs feature the silhouette of a kiwi caught in the headlights of an approaching car and carry a simple message: Slow down – kiwi crossing the next 5km.
While predators and dogs remain the biggest threats to kiwi, DOC says there were 39 reported kiwi deaths from vehicle strikes across Northland last year.
Debs Searchfield from Piroa Conservation Trust (PCT) says the signs will help people adjust to living in a landscape where kiwi are becoming increasingly common.
“Having kiwi back in our neighbourhoods is something we should all be incredibly proud of. But kiwi don’t know where the bush ends and the road begins.
“Kiwi have evolved over millions of years, mostly in the absence of humans. They have no road sense, and their natural instinct is to freeze when encountering a threat, like an oncoming car. Drivers may mistake them for possums, with tragic consequences.”
Kiwi often emerge from their daytime roosting burrows around sunset, and motorists are being urged to take particular care from dusk until dawn.
“Drivers can make a huge difference simply by slowing down and keeping a lookout, especially after dark. If you see a kiwi on or beside the road, give it plenty of time and space to cross safely,” Searchfield says.
The signs have been erected by PCT with funding from Kiwi Coast. With kiwi numbers on the rise across Northland, the signs celebrate the recovery and spread of the local kiwi population while raising awareness of the danger posed by vehicles.
“Seeing kiwi return to places where they haven’t been seen for generations is fantastic. Now we need to make sure we give them every chance to survive and spread. That’s something the whole community can help with,” Kiwi Coast’s Ngaire Sullivan says.
