Some good kiwi rain

Some good kiwi rain at the end of December

Sorry if the rain over the holiday period was a hassle for some folks but it was very timely for the kiwi. This season’s big crop of kiwi chicks will now be feeding mainly under cover instead of wandering out into exposed places to get heat stroke, or to run into a dog or a car.   There was one kiwi chick that got stuck and drowned in a roadside culvert at McLeod Bay just before the rain came. He was 900g in weight so was almost stoat proof but with things dry back then he must have ventured into the drain looking for water or food.  There was also another kiwi chick that made national news when it wandered into a tourist’s sleepout – disappointing that the reporters and agencies did not mention the community kiwi recovery effort or the risk of uncontrolled dogs to kiwi.  Sorry but more rain in January would be good for the kiwi!

Good dog control by most visitors

Once again it was very heartening to see great dog control by the vast majority of visitors over the holidays – we have had no known dog kills.

A kiwi was hit by a car at the Nook before xmas and taken to local vets by Doc staff before being flown to Massey University for treatment for a bone break.  Hopefully it will recover and return for release.

Backyard Kiwi monitored kiwi update for December 2025

Not only did we get a good crop of chicks in the spring but many of the keen kiwi dads are underway with a second round of nesting and more chicks are due to hatch soon.

 Whangarei Heads/Parua Bay Radio monitored kiwi:–

• Chookie–    As reported last month we have lost his radio signal but trail cam footage still shows him healthy and with his transmitter attached so it is definitely a failed transmitter (this will fall off him shortly). He should be coming to the end of his second nest of the season and adding more kiwi chicks to the Owhiwa Road population.  (see pics)
• Teina– Unlike the other adult males this guy is still avoiding the hard job of hatching eggs. He is in his usual valley of pampas and pines at the north end of Martins’ pine block. 9 hours of activity.
• Beach Girl – In the pampas in Halses’ logged pines at Ross Road.  9 hours of activity.
• Murdoch  –He had been  nesting 50 days on 17/12/25 so hatch is due soon.  He is in his usual territory in Deb’s bush block between Owhiwa Road and Ross Road.  His activity is a good low 3 hours at this stage.

• Humphries –   Nesting – 33 days in on 17/12/25.   He is in the pampas /pines in a valley at the eastern end of Martins’ pine block.  3 hours of nightly activity.
• Wally –Usual area of gums and pines at end of Campbell road.  Nesting in a big area of pampas; 33 days in on 08/12/25. 60 minutes average nightly activity. His eggs are due to hatch in the next few weeks.

• Myra– She is still moving within Martins’ pine block but hasn’t wandered further at this stage. 9 hours of nightly activity. Myra is one of Moondust’s chicks (see pic) from our ONC program – see his story below.

Kiwi that have walked to other areas:

• Whareora Landcare area/NRC pines:  Te Motu Manu Hine –  She is still settled in her usual area of the NRC pines behind the Money Factory.  9 hours activity.  The recent kiwi saver pulse may have deterred some of the summer walkers who take their dogs in there this year.
• Tamaterau/Waikaraka: Kim – She has still remained in the valley up the behind  Waikaraka – towards Franklin road, in an area of pampas and scrub. Ngaire has previously confirmed a pair there from KLD listening so we presume that Kim is hanging near them for company.    Hopefully a male will turn up for her or she may continue her search. 9 hours activity.
• Whanui Pine Block:  Ping – She is still in the Whanui Pine Block .  Carl got her datastream; 9 hours activityand she is in a similar area to where we found her in October so she may have found company there.

Purua ONC dads

First round of nesting has finished, 8 chicks transferred, Rua has started his second round nesting:

• Moondust – I finally caught up with him to remove his transmitter. He was 2350g and Good condition. He has been difficult to monitor and I think that we are both pleased to see the end of his monitoring.   There is a story about his history on the Kiwi Coast website: See Here
• Buddha – In the paddock north of McGraths’ quarry, 9 hours activity.
• Macio – South Purua reserve. 9.5 hours activity.
• 64 –  Usual area SW Purua Reserve. 9.5 hours activity.
• Tahi– Back of Alisons’ farm.  9 hours nightly activity.
• Sam –  SW  Purua reserve.   9.5 hours activity.
• Derek – 10 hours nightly activity after his successful nest.
• Fletcher –   he is in his usual area up behind Lovells’ airstrip, 10 hours  of activity after his failed nest.
• Rua – Back of Alisons’ farm. Nesting 21 days on 11/12/25 and 5 hours activity.
• Erima – In native in the paddock on Hawkins’ hill.   9 hours activity
• Prime – Near the top of Hawkins’ hill.    Down to 7.5 hours nightly activity.
• Purua– txed on Lovell’s side of Purua reserve.  9 hours activity.

Trapping/ toxin pulses

December catches: Stoats 3, Weasels 5, Rats 73, hedgehogs 5 and possums 11.  The Kiwi saver pulses certainly cleaned out the stoats in the middle of the peninsula but juveniles from trap shy stoats have started reinvading from the untreated areas at the southern and northern end of the Heads.

Cheers Todd

Todd Hamilton

Backyard Kiwi Project Manager

Whangarei Heads Landcare Forum