The Right Honourable Bill English, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, formally opened our new kiwi house on Thursday this week.
Members of the Pukaha Board and iwi from Rangitane o Wairarapa welcomed Mr English and other distinguished guests from the many organisations that generously donated to the refurbishment of the kiwi house.

Following a moving powhiri and gracious welcome from the Board Chair, Bob Francis, Mr English was both humourous (he loves coming to a town where the airstrip doubles as a drag strip) and passionate about his love of our native forest and birds and the need to protect them.

He is well versed on the challenges of pest eradication as he is a trustee for a remnant of forest in Southland which is being compromised by mammalian pests. Following the formal part of the day he spent time with DOC Rangers discussing the efficacy versus the cost of predator fences.

Mr English and our guests enjoyed viewing the kiwi chick and had a good wander through the new facility before repairing to the Cafe for morning tea.

We welcome you to visit our new kiwi house soon.

First Little Barrier Island chick released in to forest
A very big week for us. The first of eleven chicks, bred from kiwi that were trans-located in May last year from Little Barrier Island, was released in to the wild last Friday.

This first chick hatched on 16 October 2010 with a healthy hatch weight of 300gms. She hit all her key milestones over the following 18 weeks and was a healthy 1.3kg when released.

Releasing is a two stage process; she went from the nursery to our outdoor enclosure where she spent three and a half months learning to probe and forage in the dark. She also spent some time quarantined to minimise the risk of getting any diseases before going into the forest. Finally we tested her blood and her poo to make absolutely sure she did not carry any harmful diseases in to the forest.

Ranger Tom Studholme released her to a burrow he had lovingly created for her. Within 24 hours she had found her own spot and nestled in there. Like all our kiwi, she has a transmitter attached and all indications are she is settling in well.
She is venturing about 200m out from her borrow and finding food and calling and generally managing her new environment well. This photo is of Rangers Darren (right) and Tom (holding) as they attach the transmitter and take her up in to the forest. `

Luxury auction items at the Breadcraft Long Lunch
A gorgeous line up of auction items will be at our major fundraising event this year the Breadcraft Long Lunch. Items include a luxury weekend for two at Parehua Country Estate, a diamond bracelet and a magnificent garden sculpture by noted artist Helen Mitchell-Shand.

Tickets are on sale now and include a champagne reception, five course meal with accompanying wine, the auction and sparkling entertainment from Frankie Stevens and local songbird, Tess OHara.

Tickets are $125 per ticket or $1200 for a table of 10. Phone John Gilberthorpe on 06 304 9698 to secure your tickets. Click here for more information.

ENDS

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