Orokonui Ecosanctuary

Two long-term captive kaka have taken their first halting steps into the wild at Orokonui Ecosanctuary but are not quite ready to leave their aviary.

Mr and Mrs Roto, long-term captive kaka at the Orokonui Ecosanctuary near Dunedin, have been released back into the wild this morning.

One year on from its grand opening, Orokonui Ecosanctuary is on track to meet its targets for translocations, income, education and visitor numbers, operations manager Chris Baillie says.

Information gleaned from the experimental relocation of robins to Orokonui Ecosanctuary will hopefully help with the translocation of endangered species in the future, University of Otago associate professor Ian Jamieson says.

Orokonui Ecosanctuary has reached another milestone in its fight against pests - it has finally eradicated the rats and mice.

They are keeping up their air of mystery but the kiwi at Orokonui Ecosanctuary are believed to be settling in well.

The eight kiwi released at Orokonui Ecosanctuary at the weekend have begun moving around their new home.

After 130 years Dunedin residents finally have kiwi in their backyard.

KIWI 101: You will find them in the most inaccessible spots.

It is our national bird and New Zealanders are often referred to as 'Kiwis', but what do we really know about the flightless bird?