Rowi Kiwi Project volunteers
Dates
Year round, weather and project work permitting.
About the project
Rowi (Ōkārito brown kiwi), New Zealand's rarest kiwi, is critically endangered with approximately 375 in existence.
Over the last three years, the Franz Josef Waiau Area rowi team have been using BNZ Operation Nest Egg to boost the population of endangered rowi.
Using BNZ Operation Nest Egg, eggs or chicks are removed from nests and taken to the West Coast Wildlife Centre in Franz Josef or Willowbank Wildlife Reserve in Christchurch to hatch and grow until they are big enough to be transferred to Motuara Island - a predator-free island sanctuary in the Marlborough Sounds. Once birds have reached about 1 kg in weight they are big enough to defend themselves against stoats and are brought back to Ōkārito and released into the sanctuary.
Volunteer with rowi
Volunteer duties
Your experience of the rowi kiwi project will depend on the time of year that you volunteer. Tasks may include tracking of birds, egg and chick rescues, changing transmitters, assisting with rodent monitoring and any other work that the team may be undertaking. At all times you will be supervised by a staff member.
Please note there is no guarantee that you will get to see kiwi in the wild.
Fitness/skills
- Good fitness level - i.e. able to carry a pack with your equipment/clothing/food for up to 8 hours over rough, uneven ground
- Experience in the New Zealand outdoors
- No specific kiwi work experience or training required
Accommodation
Accommodation is generally not provided in Franz Josef village for rowi project volunteer opportunities. Accommodation will be provided in basic backcountry huts or campsites (tents) for overnight trips in the kiwi sanctuary.
What to bring
You are expected to provide various items dependant on whether you are participating in a day trip or an overnight trip. Please read Rowi Programme: Volunteer Equipment List (PDF, 34K) for details.
How to register your interest
If you are interested in volunteering with the rowi kiwi project, please contact Cornelia Vervoorn (details above) or download a Rowi Programme: Volunteer Registration Form (PDF, 39K).
Once you have printed out and completed your form, please post it to:
Rowi Kiwi Project Volunteers
Department of Conservation
PO Box 14,
Franz Josef Glacier 7856
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