Capital Kiwi Project Translocation

Following over a year of planning and relationship building between Taranaki Kōhanga Kiwi at Rotokare, Ngāti Tupaia Hapū and Capital Kiwi and Taranaki Whanui Hapū several representatives from the Trust, Rotokare Scenic Reserve Trust and Ngāti Tupaia traveled with 10 kiwi to Wellington for a special release. The birds were housed in a secure location overnight in Makara and early the next morning once we had checked them all we traveled with them into the city to hand these special taonga over to Taranaki Whanui and Capital Kiwi Project. The pōwhiri was held at the stunning Rongomaraeroa Mara within the Te Papa complex with hundreds of people present including a large representation from Taranaki Whanui Hapū, Pōneke Mayor Tori Whanau other dignitaries, guests, the media and of course the Capital Kiwi Team. Ten birds were then released into the Makara hills west of Wellington to join the birds translocated there last year from Ōtotrohanga Kiwi House and Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari. The Capital Kiwi Project covers an area of 23,455 hectares on the western coast of wellington stretching from Red Rocks in the south, to west of Porirua. It includes a total of 4600 traps, a project 4 years in the making before the first birds were released in 2022.

It was of course raining which seems to be the standard for many a kiwi release, we all convened back at the Makara Hall for a hangi and a yarn after the birds were liberated in their new home. The release was featured on One News a few days later you can watch the article here  https://www.1news.co.nz/2024/04/18/capitals-thriving-kiwi-project-a-tourism-prospect/

Pictured at the pōwhiri is Fiona Gordon RSRT Conservation Manager, Jess Fancy TKKR Kiwi Ranger and Celine Filbee TKT Manager, RSRT Manager Adrian Cleary was the photographer.