7 June 2006 Media Release
Egg-cellent year for kiwi chicks
A bumper breeding season has resulted in 135 kiwi chicks being successfully hatched and reared in captivity over the
last year. Bank of New Zealand Save the Kiwi’s Operation Nest Egg programme is responsible for the good work and report
that numbers are up from just over 100 chicks at the same time last year.
The success of the programme is growing, not only in terms of chick numbers, but also in support and resources. Another
egg incubation facility came on board over the last year, bringing the total number of facilities from 5 up to 6. Pukaha
Mt. Bruce produced two chicks in their first season with Operation Nest Egg.
Down south, great progress has also been made at the Willowbank Wildlife Reserve in Christchurch. The facility is now
equipped to incubate the eggs of our rarest kiwi breed, the Rowi. A much needed boost for a breed that is in very real
danger of extinction.
“It’s been a fantastic year, “ says Michelle Impey, Executive Director of Bank of New Zealand Save the Kiwi Trust. “We
can now boast a total of over 700 chicks hatched since the programme started in 1994.”
Only 5% of chicks hatched in the wild in areas without predator control make it to adulthood. Through Operation Nest
Egg, that figure is increased to 40%.
But despite the success of Operation Nest Egg to date, the national kiwi population is still on the decline, according
to the Department of Conservation (DOC).
Paul Jansen, National Kiwi Co-ordinator, says the kiwi population in unmanaged areas declines by approximately 6% per
year. Two of the species of kiwi are listed as ‘nationally critical’, which means there are less than 250 of them left.
It’s a critical situation that demands action.
The main reason for declining numbers of kiwi in the wild is the loss of kiwi chicks to predators such as stoats,
ferrets, weasels, cats and dogs. According to Jansen there is currently 120,000 hectares of land under protection for
kiwi in New Zealand and the aim is to increase that to a target of 200,000 hectares as soon as possible.
“Our goal in ten years time is to have all eleven different varieties of kiwi living in a number of populations that are
self supporting,” he explains.
To support the Bank of New Zealand Save the Kiwi Trust, the public can donate using their EFTPOS card at any Bank of New
Zealand ATM machine, or donate online at www.savethekiwi.org.nz or at any branch of Bank of New Zealand.
ENDS
About Bank of New Zealand Save the Kiwi Trust
Bank of New Zealand Save the Kiwi Trust was established in November 2002 by Bank of New Zealand and the Department of
Conservation, building upon a 12-year sponsorship relationship. The Trust is responsible for public awareness and
education, fundraising, sponsorship and grant allocations for kiwi recovery nationally.