Three young male kiwi attracted more than 300 curious and enthusiastic visitors to Matapouri’s Te Rangiwhakaahu marae recently.
For many it was the first time they had seen Aotearoa’s national icon alive and up close. For others it was a chance to reacquaint themselves with the extensive trapping and habitat restoration work underway locally.

The kiwi were welcomed onto the mainland at Onerahi with a whakawaatea led by Te Parawhau kaumatua Fred Tito. At this point one of the kiwi was named JJ in memory of the late Jeroen Jongejans who co-founded Dive Tutukaka and supported many community conservation causes.
The other two birds – Parangarahu and Te Wairoa - were named later in the day by the Chairman of the Te Whanau a Rangiwhakaahu Hapu Trust, Aperahama Edwards. Their names reflect the coastal area around Matapouri and the two main streams that flow into Matapouri estuary.
“We are really proud of our shared efforts to restore our taonga and raise community awareness. As mana whenua in Matapouri we are committed to the protection of our taonga,” Mr Edwards said.