Kiwi Dog Killed at Ross Road

Matakohe, a transmitted young male released back in March, had ventured north from his safe release area at the pines on Owhiwa road to the end of Ross Road. Late on Matariki eve Matakohe’s radio data stream showed only 50 minutes activity the night before so I headed out to try and find him. Found dead 400m into a private pine block – definite dog kill with puncture wounds (see pics). DNA swabs taken.  I have visited 10 neighbouring lifestyle properties, 6 with dogs, and got a positive reception by all. Those dog owners not already with good dog control have undertaken to ensure that their dogs don’t wander.  I will continue to visit the area to make sure that the owners’ good intentions are followed though.  These back valleys with no resident farmers or foresters to keep an eye on things can easily have lifestyle dogs wandering big areas.  We are also adding some more trail cameras to the area to check for dogs.

Matariki Weekend Road Kills

Holiday weekends always seem to be grief on the road for kiwi – not surprising with the increase in traffic and the increased speed by some visitors.  3 kiwi were killed around Matariki weekend, one near the Nook Road turnoff and the other two either end of the McLeod’s Bay village (see pics). The deaths got good coverage on local facebook pages and in the Advocate encouraging drivers to be more careful. There have been multiple reports of near misses by more defensive drivers. As always the silver lining is that at least they are another indicator that good stoat and dog control is giving us a healthy population at the Heads.  It was also heartening to see 8 dog owners all walking their dogs on leads when I went out to pick up one of the road kills.

2024-2025 Season trap catch data

In unmanaged areas of New Zealand 95% of kiwi chicks are predated in their first 6 months of life, mainly by stoats.  Stoat control at the Whangarei Heads has dramatically improved the survival rate of the kiwi chicks here.  Since 2002 we have been operating a kiwi predator trapping network over an approximate 8000ha area.   Our tallies for the July 2024- June 2025 season are:

• 15 Stoats is the second lowest tally in twenty three years, the annual average is 24 stoats.  This is probably a very good indicator of the effectiveness of the targeted, baitstation based, Kiwi Saver/1080 pulses undertaken this season (see details below). The Whangarei Predator Free (WPF) trail camera network reinforces this with low stoat numbers detected in the Whangarei Heads area.
• 49 Weasels is a record equal high catch and this is also probably a reflection of the low stoat numbers as stoats predate on weasels. The long term weasel catch average is 28 per year. Back in 2002 the Stoat:Weasel  catch ratio was less than 1:1 (55:46), it is now over 1:3 (15:49). Weasels also have a much smaller home range meaning a higher density of traps/baitstations is needed for their control. Weasels are not a threat to kiwi.
• 1,148 Rat total (includes 40 Norway rats) is another record high rat catch, following the upward trend over the past 23 years. Initial catch of 391 in 2002 with a long term average of 569.
• 56 Hedgehogs continues the trend of lower catch numbers from the 149 peak in 2014. In theory they are very hard to control by trapping so the recent floods and droughts may be having an impact. Maybe even competition from kiwi?
• 64 Possums. These are a bycatch as possums are not specifically targeted by the predator trap network. The majority of these were caught in the Kauri Mt area before the WPF Kiwi Saver toxin pulse there.

It is important to note that it does not matter how good a predator trapping network is over time it becomes less effective due to trap/lure shy stoats.  To clear these trap/lure shy stoats out of the area we use a controlled pulse of toxin in bait stations that kills the stoats by secondary poisoning via rats. ‘Kiwi Saver’ (1080) is the best toxin for this purpose. It is a crucial component of stoat control in any landscape area and is particularly effective on a peninsula like the Heads.

This year there were Kiwi Saver pulses at Manaia (by Manaia LC), Taurikura Ridge (by TRLC), Bream Head (by BHCT), Kauri Mt and coastal strip (by WPF) and on private blocks. Brodifacoum (also a secondary poison) pulses on private land were also carried out by WPF as they targeted possums.

Annual Kiwi Count finishing up

It is not just about counting trap catches but more importantly counting the kiwi themselves to see if the stoat control and good dog control is working. Thanks to the team of keen kiwi listeners working away at our annual kiwi count at 19 sites throughout the Heads.  The final night for counting is July 3. Data is coming in now, with initial counts looking good, we will have a summary for you next month.

 

Backyard Kiwi Annual Report for 2024-2025 year

If you would like to see more details of the Backyard Kiwi work carried out over the past year: detailed trap catches, outcome monitoring, community engagement etc the Annual Report is attached.

http://www.backyardkiwi.org.nz/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/BYK-report-for-2024-2025-year-TH-final-1.docx

What your kiwi have been up to for June 2025:

Nesting is getting underway!

 

Whangarei Heads/Parua Bay  Radio monitored kiwi:–

• Chookie–  In his usual valley below Owhiwa road.  He looks to have started nesting with a drop in activity to 6 hours.
• Teina– In his usual valley of pampas and pines at the north end of Martins’ pine block. Still high 12.5 hours activity.
• Beach Girl – Has cruised back to the pampas on the North end of Martins’ pine block.  12 hours activity.
• Murdoch  –He has been  moving up and down  the deep valley in the native on Halses’ block, Ross Road. His activity has edged down to 10 hours activity but not nesting yet.
• Humphries –  NE side of Martins’ block Owhiwa Road. In pampas and pines.  Not nesting yet 11.5 hours activity.
• Wally –Usual area of pines at end of Campbell road. His channel 7 tx has continuous, loud, radio interference so will have to try and get close to him and get a datastream without yagi attached – haven’t managed yet.

Released 23/3/25 at Parua Bay

• Myra– 3.5 year old female. She is still settled in the middle of the Martins’ block Owhiwa Road. 12 hours of nightly activity.
• Ping– Young female.  She continues to cruise the area at the NW end of Martins’ pine block.  12 hours of activity.
• Matakohe – Young male. I mentioned last month that with the breeding season in full swing that there may be some movement of these new kiwi. Unfortunately Matakohe ventured 2km north and got killed by a wandering dog at the end of Ross road!!!
• Kim  –2 year old female.  Still hasn’t moved far from her release spot in the pampas and pines below Owhiwa Road. Her activity is 13 hours.

 

Kiwi that have walked to the Whareora Landcare area

• Te Motu Manu Hine –  She is still settled in her usual area of the NRC pines behind the Money Factory.  Hopefully she has found a mate there and they are working on increasing the kiwi population.12 hours activity.

 

Purua Operation Nest Egg (ONC) dads:

The new nesting season is underway with 3 nesting so far:

• Moondust – 12 hours activity.  In his usual area behind Lovell’s Irvine road woolshed. He is due for his transmitter removal but is in a very deep burrow out of reach.
• Buddha – Usual area in the paddock north of McGraths’ quarry.   10.5 hours of activity.
• Macio – South Purua reserve, on the south face of Kauri tree ridge. Nesting 10 days on 18/6/24 – 5 hours activity.
• Otiria – He is due for tx removal but keeps eluding me in a deep, dense, tangle of  supple jack. South end of the Purua Reserve.    12 hours of nightly activity.
• 64 – On the bush face SW of Purua reserve. Nesting 10 days on 18/6/25. 7 hours activity- highish so hope that he sticks to it.
• Tahi– South-eastern Purua reserve behind Alisons’ farm. Tx removal due but left him as his activity has dropped to 4 hours and he may be nesting.
• Sam – In paddock on Hawkins’ paddock SW  of Purua reserve.  12.5 hours activity.
• Derek –  on  “Stump” Ridge, South-East Purua reserve.  11 hours of activity.
• Fletcher – In  the gut up behind Lovells’ airstrip. 12.5 hours activity.
• Rua – Back of Alisons’ farm. Nesting 9 days on 24/6/25. 5 hours activity.
• Erima – in native stand on Hawkins’ hill.  His replacement tx is working well showing 11.5 hours of activity.
• Prime – in native on Hawkins’ hill near the saddle,  13 hours of activity.
• Purua– just off west Purua trapping track, 13 hours activity.

 

 

Cheers Todd

 

Todd Hamilton

Backyard Kiwi Project Manager

Whangarei Heads Landcare Forum