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.
Following their afternoon encounter with the large gathering of well wishers, chaperoned at every step by accredited kiwi handlers, the young kiwi were placed in specially prepared burrows just on dusk.
The birds had been raised on Matakohe/Limestone Island in Whangarei Harbour which serves as a kiwi creche. They were each fitted with a tiny radio transmitter so their movements can be traced as they settle into their new home territory.
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.
The gathering at the marae was organised by Tutukaka Landcare Coalition (TLC) backed by the Northland wide Kiwi Coast organisation and generously hosted by Te Whanau a Rangiwhakaahu hapu.
TLC chairman Mike Camm said it was part of an ongoing Kiwi Coast initiative to boost kiwi numbers in areas where sufficient predator control and dog management had been undertaken to ensure the young translocated birds had a good chance of long term survival.
Mr Camm acknowledged the longstanding support and partnership held with Te Whanau a Rangiwhakaahu Hapū and their important role as Mana I te whenua of Matapouri.
In their natural surrounds and with effective predator control kiwi can be expected to live around 50 years and a breeding pair often produce at least four chicks a year.
Tutukaka Landcare began 20 years ago with a handful of volunteers and a few traps. It now has a professional trapping network covering 11,000 hectares and is one of the Northland Regional Council’s High Value conservation areas.
Along with the Whangarei Heads Backyard Kiwi project, TLC was one of the founding partners of the Kiwi Coast organisation which, with the backing of Foundation North, has grown to support more than 225 conservation focused groups across Te Taitokerau.
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