Little birds off on big OE

Photo / Richard Robinson

This tiny kiwi is among 200 kiwi heading for a sanctuary at Motuora Island after a successful incubation at Auckland Zoo.

The zoo joined the BNZ Operation Nest Egg programme 13 years ago, to try to give the endangered bird a better chance of survival in the wild.

The latest group will be taken to the Hauraki Gulf island for about a year, before they are released throughout the country.

Up to 1300 kiwi have been released under the programme.