Source: NZ Department of Conservation
Date: 04 June 2025
Campbell Hutchings nearly sped up the car when he saw something brown and vaguely possum-like on the road, but he’s glad he didn’t. He slowed down on the road near Ōtanewainuku and was rewarded with a kiwi encounter many New Zealanders dream of.
In a video sure to tug on heart strings, his first reaction is shock, followed quickly by a delighted “It’s a kiwi!” as the unconcerned bird meanders across the road.
With brown kiwi populations increasing across parts of Te Ika-a-Māui the North Island, once rare wild encounters with our national icon are becoming more likely.
Department of Conservation Tauranga Operations Manager Kristine Theiss says brown kiwi are increasing in areas with effective predator control to protect them against introduced predators like stoats.
“We’re at the point where encounters with kiwi are becoming more frequent. Kiwi live in a range of habitats so they won’t necessarily stay in a neat patch of bush, they cross the road and enter backyards, it’s amazing, but also risky for the birds. It’s essential we all play a role in protecting them.
“You can see in this video just how naïve they are—absolutely no idea about roads or cars—so we ask drivers to watch out for them at night in kiwi areas. There’s often a yellow kiwi sign indicating their presence in the area.”
Ōtanewainuku Kiwi Trust volunteers manage more than 180 kilometres of trap and bait stations to help kiwi thrive in the Ōtanewainuku Forest.
Trust Chair Lesley Jensen said their team of volunteers work exceedingly hard to protect kiwi and other birds from predators
“As bird numbers increase, we are calling on our community to slow down when travelling around Ōtanewainuku to protect them from vehicles.”
Community groups, iwi and hapū, Save the Kiwi Trust, and government agencies have been working hard to protect kiwi, with populations of brown kiwi booming in many areas.
Kris says population success remains dependent on continued conservation efforts and everyone doing their bit.
“Many people are working hard to protect kiwi, and we’re asking our community to keep kiwi in mind when driving at night, and if you come across an injured or dead kiwi, please call us on 0800 DOC HOT (0800 362 468).”
Watch the kiwi encounter at Ōtanewainuku video (mp4, 13,910K)
Background information
- Brown kiwi are increasing in areas with effective predator control to protect them against introduced predators like stoats.
- As populations grow kiwi are more likely to come into contact with people – this could be in urban environments, on roads, and in other places we might not expect to find them.
Contact
For media enquiries contact:
Email: media@doc.govt.nz
