Todd Hamilton, project manager for the Whangarei Heads Landcare Forum with the young male kiwi Hou at last week's release near Tutukaka.
Another kiwi release near Tutukaka saw 150 keen supporters of the programme to boost the national icon's population in the wild.
Two kiwi were released - a female named Koru and a male named Hou. The kiwi were named by students from Glenbervie School, and before the release were taken
to the school where senior students had the experience of seeing live kiwi up close to learn about their unique characteristics.
Koru and Hou were hatched by their kiwi dads in Whangarei Kiwi Sanctuary reserves near Purua, then taken as chicks to the predator-free kiwi creche Matakohe-Limestone Island in Whangarei Harbour. Once juvenile kiwi reach a key weight of 1200 grams they can fight off most predators apart from large feral cats, ferrets and dogs, and can be returned to pest controlled areas.
Mike Camm, project manager for Tutukaka Landcare Coalition, said last week's release was an opportunity for local people to see live kiwi up close before they were released into the native scrub nearby.
"Our community have worked hard over the last decade to trap predators, keep dogs under control and make the area a safer place for kiwi. We hope these kiwi will live out the rest of their 50-year lifespans here," Mr Camm said.
