Kiwi Releases on the Tutukaka Coast

In the course of the last 8 years, several kiwis were released in the Tutukaka Coast as part of

Operation Nest Egg.  Some of these kiwis are still tracked and studied today to make sure they are doing well!

Four adult kiwi have been released into a predator-controlled area of Northland’s Tutukaka Coast.

The birds—Te Matā, Hinemoana, Kiki and Chester—were first introduced at Ngunguru Primary School in front of 200 children, before being welcomed by more than 150 people at Te Whānau a Rangiwhakaahu Marae in Matapouri, Northland, on Wednesday.

The event, coordinated by the marae, Tutukaka Landcare Coalition, Northland Regional Council and Kiwi Coast, was designed to educate and unite the community in kiwi conservation efforts.

The release is part of a broader initiative to rebuild the local kiwi population through actions like pest control and responsible dog ownership.

Raised on predator-free Matakohe-Limestone Island, the kiwi had reached a healthy weight—over 1kg, making them strong enough to fend off stoats in the wild.

Todd Hamilton of Kiwi Coast explained to the crowd, “Kiwi can and should live for 50 to 60 years, but in Northland the average age of kiwi is just 13 years. The biggest threat to kiwi is dogs, and the best way you can protect these kiwi is simply by walking your dog on a lead.”

The birds were ceremonially welcomed with a pōwhiri and karakia before being rehomed in prepared burrows.

Community members got the rare opportunity to see the birds up close. Charlie Mackie of Te Whānau a Rangiwhakaahu Marae said the crowd's respect for the kiwi and eagerness to learn was the day’s highlight. “We hope the kiwi population will recover to how they used to be when as kids we could hear them calling just outside our house,” he said.

Tutukaka Landcare chairman Nick Davies said the birds now serve as ambassadors for biodiversity and a sustainable future. Kiwi Coast aims to one day see wild kiwi thriving again across Northland.

By Malcolm Pullman

3 kiwis released in 2024

Three young male kiwi attracted more than 300 curious and enthusiastic visitors to Matapouri’s Te Rangiwhakaahu marae recently.
For many it was the first time they had seen Aotearoa’s national icon alive and up close. For others it was a chance to reacquaint themselves with the extensive trapping and habitat restoration work underway locally.

The kiwi were welcomed onto the mainland at Onerahi with a whakawaatea led by Te Parawhau kaumatua Fred Tito. At this point one of the kiwi was named JJ in memory of the late Jeroen Jongejans who co-founded Dive Tutukaka and supported many community conservation causes.
The other two birds – Parangarahu and Te Wairoa - were named later in the day by the Chairman of the Te Whanau a Rangiwhakaahu Hapu Trust, Aperahama Edwards. Their names reflect the coastal area around Matapouri and the two main streams that flow into Matapouri estuary.
“We are really proud of our shared efforts to restore our taonga and raise community awareness. As mana whenua in Matapouri we are committed to the protection of our taonga,” Mr Edwards said.

Parangarahu: He has been the most settled, mostly hanging around the valley he was released in. He moved up to the top of the hill and hung out in a pile of slash for a couple of days, but he has since moved off the block into the neighbouring property in long kikuyu grass beside a pond. Active for 12 to 13 hours a night.

​Te Wairoa: He spent a week in almost the same location, however recenty there was radio silence from his transmitter in all parts of the Parangarahu block. It turns out that he has moved south to the rocky coastal gully in front of the Visser's property. A signal can only be obtained from the headland pointing back inland. Also 12 to 13 hours activity a night.

​JJ: He spent a couple of nights pretty close to his release site, but has since been marching southwards towards the Tutukaka Forest. He is currently in the gully between Nick’s and Mike’s properties, but is moving every night. 11 to 12 hours activity per night.

The gathering at the marae was organised by TLC backed by the Northland-wide Kiwi Coast organisation and generously hosted by Te Whanau a Rangiwhakaahu hapu.

​Mr Camm acknowledged the longstanding support and partnership held with Te Whanau a Rangiwhakaahu Hapū and their important role as Mana I te whenua of Matapouri.

Some of the Previous Releases

Aorangi & Tawhiti Rahi -2023

Aorangi and Tawhiti Rahi were a known breeding pair on Matakohe Limestone Island and so were released together into the same spot on the Parangaahu  coastal block at  Matapouri by Tutukaka Landcare in February 2023. 
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While released pairs sometimes part ways in their new home, these two have stayed pretty much within calling distance of each other as they take the time to explore their new home on the mainland. 
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As you can see in the map, they have wandered back and forth a few times in the last three weeks but seem happy to keep to the coastal side of the main road – perhaps enjoying the stunning views out to their namesake islands in the Poor Knights group.

Kaumatua Aperahama Edwards, Te Whanau a Rangiwhakaahu, with Tahwhiti-rahi at release site (Photo Kieran Pullman)

Cam McInness and Aorangi (Photo Kieran Pullman)

Sampa the kiwi 2023

Sampa was released onto the Tutukaka Coast in February 2023.
UPDATE (March 2023): She is turning into a bit of a problem child! She stayed put for the first couple of weeks but then started wandering… Her transmitter signal could not be picked up for a week but was eventually she was found at the very top of the Waiotoi Road Valley. Not content there, she was then tracked moving back towards the Tutukaka Forestry block a few days later. 

One of the kiwi trackers Cam McInnes reports “We haven’t had a signal from her since the 17th of March despite having four trackers and multiple days of dedicated searching.  It could be an issue with the transmitter as it was always a very quiet signal and the volume would fluctuate when receiving the info. We’ll keep looking!

Awanui - 2021

Awanui grew up on the Matakohe-Limestone Island kiwi creche in Whangarei Harbour. He was fitted with a tiny radio transmitter and released by Tutukaka Landcare into their 10,000ha pest controlled area in 2021.

​After his release he explored the Tutukaka Coast, staying close to another kiwi Tashi, before settling into Bluewater Height.

Despite being a fairly young kiwi, he soon found a mate and in 2022, after a couple of failed attempts, successfully hatched his first chick.

Awanui shows every sign of being a great nester, but as a young dad, he’s still got a bit of learning to do!

​When will Awanui nest again? Will we ever meet his mystery mate? Will we catch a glimpse of chicks again, or have they wandered far and wide?

Kotahi the kiwi 2021

Kotahi is our feisty independant female kiwi.
Released at Tawapou in 2021 by Tutukaka Landcare, Kotahi quickly made herself at home on a stunning gorgeous coastal headland above Horseshoe Bay on the Tutukaka Coast.
Kotahi has been fitted with a tiny radio tracking device which allows her to be monitored while she adapts to her new environment.
Photo: Kotahi at her release on April 11, 2021 by Tutukaka Landcare.
Photo: Malcolm Pullman

Unlike some of our other monitored kiwi who often wander large distances, Kotahi has been quite settled at Horseshoe Bay. Occasionally she moves down to the beach or explores the other headland – but to date she has shown little interest in pairing up with a mate and seems quite content in her coastal paradise!
Will Kotahi find a mate? Or will she defend her territory and keep her prime location to herself..?