Romance for kiwi in Pukenui Forest with one egg laid

Kiwi released into Pukenui Forest are finding love with one egg being laid.

It seems the cold weather has seen love blossom between kiwi released in Northland's Pukenui Forest and one male is sitting on an egg.

The male is one of 12 adult kiwi, with transmitters attached, that were released into the Pukenui Forest, near Whangārei, on March 17, and are being monitored for 12 months.

They were raised on Hauraki Gulf kiwi-creche island Motuora, but incubated at Auckland Zoo.

Pukenui Western Hills Trust welcome the 12 kiwi to a gathering at Maunu Primary School before releasing the birds into a managed 3500ha area.

And it seems the lush forest has created a romantic ambiance for the kiwi.

Pukenui Western Hills Forest Charitable Trust ranger Bevan Cramp said, while he had not actually seen the egg, he was pretty certain a male kiwi named Waimarie, originally thought to be female, was sitting on an egg.

He said the transmitters showed an increase in the number of beeps per minute.

Normally when tracking Waimarie there would be about 30 beeps but in the past two weeks the beeps had increased to 48 per minute, indicating he was sitting on an egg.

It's thought the mum could be Roha, who had been tracked settling in close by.

"We're over the moon. It means they have all settled in and the population is going to increase. Although it's not a success until the egg hatches," Cramps said yesterday, as he tramped through the bush tracking more kiwi.

"Incubation is between 70 to 80 days so we will know then."

He had given Waimarie a wide berth since it was discovered he was sitting on an egg so that he was not disturbed while on the nest.

Pukenui Trust Chair Max Hutchings, left, and ranger Bevan Cramp on the Maunu flank of the Pukenui Western Hills Forest. 2

And the good news kept coming with indications Fanton was carrying an egg.

It appeared there was also romance between Lovie and Chuckles, with fingers crossed for an egg as the end result.

Pukenui and Te Kamo had drifted towards Whau Valley dam area and Cramp renewed calls for dog owners to keep dogs out of the forest during this crucial breeding period.

A sign at Coronation Scenic Reserve highlights that Kiwi live here and dogs are prohibited.

Last month two fox terriers were spotted running free in Coronation Reserve, off Western Hills, and part of the Pukenui Forest.