Kaitiaki of the kiwi
The kiwi is one of Aotearoa New Zealand’s national icons. It is known as te manu huna a Tāne – the hidden bird of Tāne. Kiwi have always been under the protection of Tāne Mahuta, god of the forest. Today, they are keenly protected by diverse groups of people who act as kaitiaki (guardians) of the kiwi. One group – the Lake Waikaremoana Hapū Restoration Trust – has helped create a conservation methodology that many others now follow.
Te take – the critical decline of kiwi at Lake Waikaremoana
Like many other native birds, kiwi are under threat from introduced predators. Lake Waikaremoana, in Te Urewera National Park, had seen its kiwi population decline by 90% in the 70 years from 1920–1990. The hapū of Lake Waikaremoana were determined not to lose this taonga.
Dr John McLennan, working for Manaaki Whenua – Landcare Research, joined with the hapū and the Department of Conservation to restore kiwi numbers. Together, they created an inland island along the shore of Lake Waikaremoana by fencing off the Puketukutuku Peninsula, which covers about 750 hectares and is surrounded by water on three sides. The fence is intended to keep kiwi chicks in the area and help keep pests out. The fence is electrified on the outside to deter pigs and deer.
[Puketukutuku Peninsula is] surrounded on three sides by water, and that’s why we chose it way back in 1992 for predator control because we figured we could probably win in a place like this where the water prevented predators from getting in on three sides.
Te whāinga – increase the kiwi population by controlling predators
The Lake Waikaremoana Hapū Restoration Trust runs a trapping programme designed to eliminate the main predator – stoats. Trust members have been laying traps since 1995 and have achieved remarkable results. Over a 10-year period, they’ve seen a 56% survival rate among brown kiwi chicks. In the adjoining bush area, with no trapping, the survival rate is less than 10%. The Trust now knows that the Puketukutuku Peninsula supports about 50 pairs of adult and about 50 juvenile kiwi. It’s gone from an initial population of 24 to its full carrying capacity.
Project Mātauranga: Bringing the kiwi back
In this episode of Project Mātauranga, Dr John McLennan and members of the Lake Waikaremoana Hapū Restoration Trust explain how they created inland islands to protect kiwi chicks.
Select here to view video transcript (with translation) and copyright information.
Success for kiwi, the local hapū and national conservation programmes
Dr McLennan’s 9-year study demonstrated that the predation of eggs and chicks was the main cause of kiwi decline. It has significantly influenced conservation projects across Aotearoa. The project was also a big win for the Lake Waikaremoana Hapū Restoration Trust. It now manages the project – the first time the Department of Conservation has handed over full responsibility for species work on conservation land!
The Trust sees its mahi as intergenerational – the foundations it lays today require the help of future generations if the kiwi, flora and fauna of Lake Waikaremoana are to regenerate and thrive.
The Trust used its knowledge and experience to create another inland island on Lake Waikaremoana. Surplus kiwi from Puketukutuku Peninsula were moved to the 450-hectare Whareama Peninsula. It is also fenced and has predator control.
