Critically Endangered kiwi chicks released on New Zealand's pest-free Pomona Island

Just 350 birds left in the wild

November 2011: Seven critically endangered Haast tokoeka (Otherwise known as the Haast brown kiwi, a subspecies of the South Island Brown Kiwi) have started a new life on Pomona Island in Lake Manapouri, New Zealand.

CRITICALLY ENDANGERED: A Haast tokoeka chick Picture: New Zealand Department of Conservation

‘Releasing kiwi, our national icon, on Pomona is the culmination of six years hard work by members of the Te Anau/Manapouri community to remove pests from Pomona Island,' said John Whitehead, chair of the Pomona Island Trust. ‘It is a major milestone for us.'

Creating two pest-free sanctuaries
The total population of Haast tokeka is 350 birds - making them one of New Zealand's rarest kiwi, together with the critically endangered rowi from Okarito, about 150 km north of Haast. The trust has worked for the past three years with New Zealand's Department of Conservation (DOC) to protect Haast tokoeka on nearby Rona Island. This is the first time that kiwi have been released on Pomona. 

‘We have been impressed with the professionalism and dedication of members of the Pomona Island Charitable Trust,' said Neil Freer, Haast Tokoeka Kiwi team leader. ‘They have worked hard to create two island sanctuaries on Lake Manapouri to help protect not only the kiwi but other endangered species such as the mohua. This is proving to be a great partnership between DOC and a committed community group to bring about some great results for critically endangered species.'

To help ensure the survival of this special bird, DOC is managing the Haast Tokoeka population with the help of BNZ Operation Nest Egg. This involves rescuing eggs from the wild, incubating and then releasing them in predator-free environments.

Now safely releasted on to Pomona, it is hoped that the young birds will pair up, breed successfully and produce healthy wild-hatched chicks that will increase the tokoeka population.