The kiwi needs your help. Why?

The kiwi is one of the most iconic creatures in Aotearoa. But did you know that our namesake is incredibly vulnerable?

Then and now
New Zealand used to be home to millions of kiwi. Today there are an estimated ~68,000 kiwi left. That number continues to decline nationally by 2% annually, which equals about 20 kiwi every week.

Nasty critters
Stoats are the biggest threat to kiwi chicks. In fact, 95% of kiwi chicks that hatch in areas without predator control will die before they reach breeding age. That’s about two years of age.

Bigger pests for bigger kiwi
The older kiwi get the stronger they become. However, ferrets are a significant threat to adult kiwi. Worryingly, ferrets are being seen in places where they haven’t been seen before, which means kiwi are more at threat in places that haven’t had to worry about ferrets before.

Where the mahi is being done, kiwi numbers are growing
Where there’s good, active predator control, kiwi populations are bouncing back. In fact, 50-60% of chicks survive in areas where predators are being controlled. We just need more of it!

What about dogs?
Dogs are important members of many New Zealanders’ lives. Unfortunately, they can also pose a significant threat to kiwi. Dogs and kiwi can live side by side if their owners are responsible.

So what can the average person to do help kiwi in their natural habitat?

Keep your dog under control
If you’re heading into areas where kiwi live, do your research first and find out if you can take your dog with you. Some areas permit dogs on leads; others restrict dogs altogether. If you can take your dog there, always keep it on a lead. Even the smallest, cutest, friendliest dog could get a sniff of something new and interesting and accidentally injure or kill a kiwi – even if it was just trying to have fun. If you live in an area where kiwi live, understand what it takes to be a responsible dog owner. That includes always keeping your dog under control, especially at night.

Carry out predator control
Removing predators like stoats and ferrets from the environment helps to create habitat that’s safe for kiwi. Backyard trapping can help too, especially if you live in or near areas where kiwi live.

Donate, donate, donate
The work that goes into making the environment safe for kiwi takes a lot of work and requires a lot of money. There are hundreds of community conservation groups around New Zealand that work incredibly hard to protect kiwi that already live in their regions and prepare the whenua for the eventual return of kiwi. Unfortunately, there is never enough funding to go around and many of these groups rely on volunteers. For more of this important mahi to happen, we all need more money – it’s that simple. If you’re able to, please consider donating to Save the Kiwi to help protect kiwi in your part of Aotearoa.