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Kiwi in Taranaki
Kiwi
Kiwi are the smallest of the ratites, a group of flightless birds which includes the ostriches of Africa, the emu of Australia, and the extinct moa of New Zealand. Kiwi are biological oddities, unique in both appearance and behaviour, some of their features are features reminiscent of mammals rather than birds.
The number of kiwi taxa is a little confusing at the moment but six are currently recognised in the Kiwi Recovery Plan: North Island Brown Kiwi, Okarito Brown Kiwi, Southern Tokoeka, Haast Tokoeka, Great Spotted Kiwi and the Little Spotted Kiwi. The kiwi found in Taranaki is the North Island Brown Kiwi (NIBK) that, apart from the Little Spotted Kiwi at the Karori Wildlife Sanctuary in Wellington is the only kiwi on the mainland of the North Island.
Kiwi in Taranaki
The species of kiwi that is found in Taranaki, the North Island Brown Kiwi, generally prefer moist conditions, when the soil is easy to probe.
If the soil becomes too dry, the kiwi have more difficulty finding food. However, kiwi can live in a wide range of forest types, and will come out onto river flats, but the structure of the forest must provide the conditions to support a wide range of plants and insects required by the Kiwi.
These conditions usually are prevalent in Egmont National Park, especially the high alitiude (1,200m) Veronica Hill Track area, which is referred to as the "Goblin Forest" (see below) . The trees there are festooned with many species of filmy ferns, ferns, perching lilies, mosses and lichen with a few examples 
below. Kiwi are known to be in this area.
Other areas in the reigon where kiwi are known to be found are in the Uriti Forest Reserve and the Whitecliffs conservation area, which is in north-western Taranaki. The forest there is dominated by Hard Beech (upper hills) and Tawa (lower hills) with a variety of species underneath such as Nikau Palms and crown ferns.
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Population and Decline of Kiwi
The North Island Brown Kiwi population is estimated to be 25,000 birds, and declining by 5.8% per year. Scientists believe that 75 years ago, there were 2,500,000 NIBK birds. The population in Taranaki / Wanganui / King Country (Western North Island) is estimated to 8,000 birds.
The table below illustrates what is likely to happen in the next 30 years unless action is taken now. One problem that the maths cannot account for is that a population may reach a critical number, with an aging population, too few to meet and breed, or succumb to disease or natural disasters. A small population has a small gene pool, and is vulnerable.
North Island Brown Kiwi - North Island Numbers |
|
Year |
Population |
| 2002 2007 2012 2017 2022 2027 2032 |
25,000 19,685 14,602 10,381 8,034 5,959 4,420 |
North Island Brown Kiwi - Western Numbers |
|
Year |
Population |
| 2002 2007 2012 2017 2022 2027 2032 |
8,000 6,299 4,672 3,466 2,571 1,907 1,414 |
Kiwi Sound Clips
Below are clips of the calls of the North Island Brown Kiwi, both male and female, as well as other kiwi sounds.
The sound files are in MP3 format, and you will need a media player, such as WinAmp or Windows Media Player to be able to play them. These programs are able to be downloaded by clicking on the links below.
Female Kiwi
Male Kiwi
Other Pages |
Software Downloads |
| Pests and Threats | Winamp |
| Kiwi Presence Survey Maps | Windows Media Player |