Man holding rowi. Photo: D.Roderick.

Man holding rowi

West Coast region

Map showing location of West Coast region.

Rowi, formerly known as Okarito brown kiwi, are New Zealand’s rarest kiwi, with an estimated 350 surviving in just 11,000 hectares in South Okarito Forest, in South Westland.

It was in 1994 that they were found to be an entirely new species and given the name rowi.

Highlights:

Image from the Meet the Locals - Wild tech video. Image copyright: TVNZ.

Wild tech video

The use of innovative new technology means our rarest kiwi – the Okarito rowi on the West Coast, now has a far greater chance of survival.

Okarito Lagoon showing reflection of the Southern Alps in the water, Westland. Photo: Philippe Gerbeaux.

Okarito Lagoon

Okarito is a coastal settlement bounded by ocean, estuary, sea cliffs, lush forest and unsurpassed views of the Southern Alps. Thousands of native birds visit the lagoon and many make their home in the vicinity.

Image from the Meet the Locals - Rarest kiwi video. Image copyright: TVNZ.

Rarest kiwi video

In this video Nic visits the home of NZ's rarest kiwi - the critically endangered rowi (Okarito brown kiwi) on the South Island's west coast.

 
 
Publication
Saving our kiwi  A stocktake of kiwi conservation in New Zealand
Publication

Kiwi recovery plan 2008-2018 (PDF, 685K)  

Information

Bank of New Zealand Save the Kiwi Trust website
Information about funding applications for kiwi conservation organisations

Whataroa School and Operation Nest Egg - Whataroa School won the 2006 West Coast Schools' Conservation Challenge

Contact

DOC HOTline - 24 hour emergency number

Phone 0800 DOCHOTline (0800 362 468) to report:

Sick or injured wildlife
Whale or dolphin strandings