Keep an eye out, and ear open, for kiwi

Source: NZ Department of Conservation

Date:  20 April 2026

After the surprise discovery of a western brown kiwi in the Pureora Forest Park’s Waipapa Block in March, DOC has echoed the Save The Kiwi call to action encouraging human Kiwis to report the signs of their feathered namesakes.

The message to report kiwi comes during Conservation Week 2026, when people are being encouraged to make small actions to support nature.

Tineke Joustra, Save the Kiwi Operations Manager, says the organisation’s push for people to report kiwi signs or sightings coincides with a seasonal increase in the birds’ calling activity.

“Kiwi call throughout the year, but more over winter, “Tineke says. The male call is shrill and has eight to 25 repetitions, while the female call is more guttural and has 10-20 repetitions.”

Tineke says there are several clear indicators of kiwi presence in forested areas, including their distinctive three-toed footprints in puddles and soil or mud, the holes created by their long probing beaks, and the occasional discovery of their hair-like feathers.

“Kiwi are nocturnal, so daytime sightings are rare in the North Island. That’s why these signs are so important – they help us understand where kiwi are, even when we don’t see them”

We would like to encourage everyone to help build a greater picture of the distribution and location of the birds by submitting observations (with photos and videos) through Save the Kiwi, Tineke says.

DOC’s Pureora Forest ProgrammeLead Tama Blackburn says the capturing on camera of the western brown at Waipapa reflected the excitement the national bird can still create.

“Our DOC whānau and local conservation contributors were thrilled to discover this kiwi had been spotted on the camera – and that can be a shared feeling among people heading out into the ngahere if they see signs of kiwi.”

Tama says the Pureora Forest is a biodiversity hotspot popular with a range of recreational users, including cyclists on The Timber Trail, and more adventurous trampers. At this time of year – The Roar- the deer hunting community heads into the forest in numbers.

“If we can get those visitors reporting signs or calls from kiwi in this beautiful forest, that’ll help our friends at Save The Kiwi with their mahi, and also give us a greater understanding of the outcomes achieved through the efforts of our staff, iwi partners and volunteers working to protect these taonga manu.

“Reporting a kiwi sighting is one small action contributing to a bigger conservation kaupapa.”

Contact

MIL OSI