The number of kiwi raised at Maungatautari in Waipā and sent to new homes has reached almost 350.
Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari
This year marks the 20th anniversary of the re-introduction of kiwi on Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari – four chicks began a founding population on the 34,000ha sanctuary, which is surrounded by a pest-proof fence.
A total of 346 kiwi have been moved from the maunga to locations in the North Island as part of the national re-population strategy.
In 2019, 13 birds were moved to Waimarino, then in 2023, 111 birds were moved to Tongariro and Wellington and in 2024, 222 kiwi were taken Tongariro (88), Wellington (65), and Taranaki Mounga (69).
The sanctuary serves as a source population for the North Island Brown Kiwi from the western region and the population in the sanctuary estimated at close to 3000.
Sanctuary Mountain – Maungatautari.
Save the Kiwi chief executive Michelle Impey said Sanctuary Mountain was one of the cornerstones of organisation’s Kōhanga Kiwi programme.
Over the past two years her team, working in partnership staff and volunteers at Sanctuary Mountain had delivered 333 kiwi to new homes in Wellington, Tongariro, and Taranaki.
“It has been heart-warming to see the impact the arrival of these kiwi have on local communities, and it is exciting that members of the public will now have the chance to experience this in the beautiful setting of Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari,” she said.
An immersive Kiwi Experience Tour running for 90 minutes in March and April will allow the public to get up close to kiwi at the sanctuary.
On the interactive 1.5-hour Kiwi Experience tour, participants will learn about Sanctuary Mountain, flora and fauna there, see a kiwi health check, and get the opportunity to see a kiwi up-close and take photos.
Kiwi on Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari
