Whittaker's commits to again donating $80k to Kiwis for kiwi this Easter

Whittaker's is offering the chance to name and release a baby Kiwi in its latest marketing promotion. Photo/supplied

In its latest marketing campaign, Whittaker's Chocolate is offering a year's supply of chocolate, and the chance to name and release a baby Kiwi.

For the last few Whittaker's has released its kiwi-shaped chocolate for Easter with proceeds going to the Kiwi charity.

This year the company is holding a competition for anyone who purchases a chocolate kiwi to guess the gender, weight and birth date of a kiwi, due to hatch around Easter.

The person with the most accurate guess will win a year's supply of Whittaker's chocolate as well as the chance to name and release a baby kiwi into one of the country's protected kiwi sites.

"We are excited to be offering such a special and unique opportunity for one of our Whittaker's Chocolate Lovers, and to once again be supporting Kiwis for kiwi and the Operation Nest Egg initiative," said marketing manager Jasmine Currie.

"Over the last two years, Whittaker's donations have helped save over 130 kiwi chicks through Operation Nest Egg. We are committed to donating another $80,000 this year, which will save around 65 more."

Kiwis for kiwi is an independent charity aimed at protecting kiwi and their natural habitat.

The Operation Nest Egg initiative sees vulnerable new-born kiwi raised in a safe environment until they reach a 'stoat-proof' weight of about one kilogram, after which they are released into predator-controlled areas.

These operations are community-led and include monitoring kiwi populations, facilitating breeding programmes, removing predators from kiwi habitats, and raising funds year-round.

The campaign will run until the kiwi egg hatches.