3 years before kiwis breed

It will be three years before the kiwi being transferred to Orokonui Ecosanctuary will breed.

The Otago Natural History Trust announced this week that six to eight Haast tokoeka will be transferred to Orokonui Ecosanctuary's predator-proof enclosure late next month.

Department of Conservation South Westland programme manager biodiversity assets Gareth Hopkins said the kiwi being transferred were juveniles living on Rona Island in Lake Manapouri.

Rona, which was managed by the Pamona Island Charitable Trust, was one of three "creche" islands where young kiwi were put after being hatched and reared in the Willowbank sanctuary in Christchurch.

The islands gave the kiwi a chance to learn to live in the wild in a place protected from predators.

Once they were 1200g and "basically stoat-proof", they were returned to Haast tokoeka sanctuary, a 1100ha area 20km south of Haast, which is home to two-thirds of the birds' population.

Orokonui would act as a kohanga, or "nest", where the birds could breed naturally within the predator-proof fence, he said.

"Then we'll bring them back to their natural historical areas like the kiwi sanctuary."

The kiwi at Orokonui would be monitored to assess their health in their new home.

"I reckon they'll do quite well, not having to deal with predators."

The move was part of the recovery plan for the kiwi and establishing the kohanga at Orokonui was a significant step in building the foundation for the bird's future, he said.

It had taken years of planning, consultation and sensitive negotiation to make the transfer a reality, he said.

Along the way, special relationships had been developed between the six groups involved, including iwi, Doc and the Pamona trust, he said.

The West Coast's Te Runanga o Makaawhio, who were guardians of the kiwi, would give that guardianship to Karitane-based runanga Kati Huriapa ki Puketeraki while the birds were at Orokonui.

rebecca.fox@odt.co.nz

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