The first three kiwi were transferred back to the Hauraki-Coromandel region as part of a 10-day muster.
These kiwi were transported back to the region by representatives from Ngāti Hei and Ngāti Huarere for release on the Kūaotunu Peninsula.
Motutapu, an island connected to Rangitoto in Tīkapa Moana/Hauraki Gulf, is a kōhanga for Coromandel brown kiwi. Since 2012, 156 Coromandel brown kiwi have been sourced from the Hauraki-Coromandel region and released on the predator-free island of Motutapu. This is the first muster for the island as part of the next phase in the 'To the Motu and Back' strategy.
The kōhanga strategy aims to create a source population of kiwi at a location safe from introduced predators such as stoats. The adult offspring of this population will be moved back to the Hauraki-Coromandel region to accelerate growth of wild populations.
The Coromandel subspecies of brown kiwi are the rarest of North Island brown kiwi. There are now over 300 Coromandel brown kiwi living on Motutapu and Rangitoto islands. Save the Kiwi has determined there are enough kiwi to start moving their offspring back to the Hauraki-Coromandel region, with the muster running from 15 – 24 March 2026.
"Today marks the beginning of the second phase of this strategy for accelerating kiwi recovery in the Hauraki-Coromandel region." says Paula Judd, Save the Kiwi Kōhanga Coordinator for Coromandel brown kiwi. "We look forward to the kiwi population in this kōhanga site growing and boosting the populations throughout the Hauraki-Coromandel region forevermore."
"This could not have been possible without the sustained pest and predator control efforts of individuals, iwi, community groups and the Department of Conservation in the Hauraki-Coromandel region, as well the support from Ngāi tai ki Tāmaki, the Department of Conservation, and the Motutapu Restoration Trust to keep Motutapu predator-free."
"These manu are taonga and being able to return them back to their rohe is part of how we're taking care of these manu for the future generations." says Billy Brown from Ngāi tai ki Tāmaki.
Department of Conservation Operations Manager Kat Lane says, "the pest-free islands you can see from Auckland's coastline play a really important role in conservation on a national scale."
She adds, "Alongside many partners and the public, we work hard to keep predators such as stoats and rats away from these islands – and the success of these kiwi show how native species can thrive in the absence of introduced predators. Over a decade from the first birds arriving, we're so proud to be now sending kiwi back to the mainland."
Kiwi return has been years in the making
'To the Motu and Back' has been highly successful through the sustained effort of individuals, iwi, community and the Department of Conservation in the Hauraki-Coromandel region to protect kiwi and their support of the kōhanga initiative.
"Save the Kiwi has actively supported the efforts of kiwi community groups in the region and we're thrilled to see kiwi return to each of the sites." says Paula.
Save the Kiwi would like to acknowledge Fullers 360 for supporting today's event.
