Because two "kiwi couples" have formed among the rare Haast tokoeka who have made Orokonui Ecosanctuary their home, the organisation is calling their translocation a success.
The young tokoeka were translocated from predator-free islands in Lakes Manapouri and Te Anau in 2010 and in 2011.
Sixteen now roam within the predator-proof fence at Orokonui, near Waitati.
Orokonui general manager Chris Baillie said a professional kiwi tracker Chris Rickard and ecosanctuary staff caught all 16 birds to remove the transmitters attached to them before their release into the enclosure.
They also did a health check on the birds and took feathers for DNA extraction and measured them.
"All the birds were in very good condition."
Orokonui's conservation manager Elton Smith said by measurements alone Orokonui seemed to have a perfect ratio of males to females and by the birds' behaviour it appeared at least two pairs had formed.
"When they breed, young will be returned to South Westland as soon as they are big enough to defend themselves from stoats."
Orokonui's kiwi breeding programme would help replenish the struggling population there.
"The kiwi translocation has been regarded as a success."
As the birds were known to be doing so well, Valerie Fay, a volunteer who had tracked them since their arrival, had been stood down as it was not wished to make the birds more wary of humans.
