Public involvement
Returning Haast tokoeka to
the wild, Operation Nest Egg
Running in parallel to the kiwi sanctuaries is work involving communities in kiwi care. The emphasis has been on information sharing and support by DOC staff, funding support from Bank of New Zealand Save The Kiwi Trust, and the Government’s Biodiversity Advice and Condition Fund grants.
Community projects
More than 60 community-based kiwi initiatives have developed, the majority in the last five years, many involving iwi. They are run mainly as managed sites in the wild, as well as fenced predator-proof kiwi chick creche sites and predator-free island creche sites. In total, community-led protection covers more than 50,000 ha of kiwi habitat, close to the 70,000 ha of kiwi habitat managed by DOC.
Northland and the Coromandel are the focus for community kiwi care groups, with more than 30 in Northland alone. Community support for kiwi management has now taken root in Taranaki, Bay of Plenty and in East Coast/Hawke’s Bay.
Haast tokoeka chick, Willowbank,
Christchurch
There are relatively few community-based initiatives in the South Island (a notable example is a project at Arthur’s Pass), mainly because of the remoteness of kiwi populations. Fortunately, the needs of kiwi are generally less urgent in much of the South Island, with the exception of the rowi and the Haast tokoeka.
Bank of New Zealand Save The Kiwi Trust
A sponsorship agreement between DOC and Bank of New Zealand provides around 15 per cent of total funding spent on kiwi conservation, and other resources, with the annual contribution now exceeding $600,000 a year and continuing to grow.
Haast tokoeka
The Trust has helped ensure sound kiwi management practice, with its board approving funding allocations. The Trust has also challenged DOC in its formulation of kiwi recovery goals to help motivate New Zealanders to take action to save our national bird.
Bank of New Zealand Save The Kiwi’s Operation Nest Egg
Under Operation Nest Egg, kiwi eggs or chicks are taken from the wild, hatched and raised in captivity for around six months until the juveniles reach 1kg, the weight at which they are able to defend themselves from stoats, and when they can be returned to the wild. Several zoos and wildlife parks are currently part of the programme. More than 120 kiwi chicks are raised each year, funded by Bank of New Zealand Save The Kiwi Trust and the captive rearing institutions.
Checking a Haast tokoeka egg for fertility
Interview with Peter Thodey, Bank of New Zealand Save The Kiwi Trust
How did the Bank get involved in kiwi conservation?
Bank of New Zealand became interested in the plight of the kiwi about 15 years ago. At the time there was surprisingly little information available about kiwi and although we knew it was in trouble, we didn’t know how many there were, where they lived or what threatened their survival. The Bank simply could not stand back and allow our national icon to become extinct.
Rowi egg incubation,
Willowbank, Christchurch
We decided that becoming actively involved in supporting kiwi conservation efforts was the best way for us to help. So far, we’ve contributed about $7 million, money that has come from the Bank through sponsorship fees and from customer donations. We have a long way to go, but we believe our involvement with the protection of the kiwi will prove to be historically significant.
What have you required from your side?
When we developed Bank of New Zealand Save The Kiwi Trust, we wanted to create something that would add relevance to kiwi conservation. Obviously, that was important from the point of view of the bird, but we also wanted to establish an organisation that had a very professional focus and would integrate the Bank with DOC and the community. I believe we’ve developed a good template for environmental sponsorships.
Peter Thodey, managing director
Bank of New Zealand
In an effort to develop the credibility of the Trust’s leadership, we have been very fortunate to have found two leading experts in the scientific field who have volunteered their time as independent trustees. They review the work DOC is doing and provide objective opinions. That has helped create a balance between corporate sponsorship and conservation. It also showed the community and conservation groups that the Trust isn’t DOC and the Bank sitting around a boardroom table divvying up money; decisions are made by experts who are involved with the Trust and who have a passion for kiwi. It’s a very hands-on – and hearts-on – trust.
BNZ card
And that goes for Bank staff, too. I believe that for a corporate sponsorship to work, it has to have the support of staff. Not only do Bank staff promote products that raise money for the Trust like kiwi Eftpos cards and cheques, but staff are also encouraged to become involved in conservation work. For instance, staff are involved in some restoration projects by planting trees and shrubs. Sometimes, staff go out when kiwi chicks are released back to the wild. People can more easily support the kiwi products when they have experienced for themselves what the Trust accomplishes.
Haast tokoeka return. Operation Nest Egg
How have you done your promotion of kiwi?
In 2005, the Bank commissioned research to find out what New Zealanders think about kiwi. We found that the average New Zealander felt a connection with kiwi and sees the kiwi as a symbol of inclusion – it is the one thing in New Zealand that transcends race, gender, religion, age and ethnicity. However, while 87 per cent surveyed felt that saving the kiwi should be a national priority, the research showed that people weren’t aware of the situation of kiwi or that a lot of work needs to be done to save our national icon.
Radio tracking rowi at Okarito
The message the Bank used in its campaign – that kiwi could disappear from a region near you in 15 years – was not only accurate, but created a sense of urgency.
But we also needed to convey hope and opportunity. New Zealanders need to know that they can do something to help the kiwi and that every New Zealander can make a contribution and difference.
Goals of the Trust’s kiwi programme?
Haast tokoeka transfer to Burwood
reserve, Te Anau
We want to increase the number of kiwi in New Zealand, increase the number of places where kiwi live, and maintain their genetic diversity. Those goals are based on what the kiwi scientists have told us and affect the kinds of projects that we are keen to support.
The funding has typically been divided with 40 per cent going to DOC for research, 40 per cent to community projects and 20 per cent being used for advocacy work. The level of community involvement is growing – there are now 60 community groups (there were barely any when we started) and these groups all need support. Consequently, every year we need to raise more money.
The Trust’s contribution to kiwi conservation is continuing to grow to meet the expanding needs of kiwi conservation. We’ve accomplished a lot so far, but we need New Zealanders’ help to make it happen. It is, after all, about “Kiwis saving kiwi”.
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