Mauriora released into Pukaha Mount Bruce reserve

Mauriora released into Pukaha Mount Bruce reserve

Mauriora, one of three white North Island Brown kiwi hatched at Pukaha Mount Bruce, was released into the reserve today following a final routine health check and a karakia by Rangitane o Wairarapa.

The decision to release Mauriora followed a final routine health check and after regular monitoring by DOC staff which concluded his feisty personality and aggressive behaviour would enable him to thrive in the wild and be well equipped to fend off predators.

Mauriora means ‘sustained life’ – and he is definitely a kiwi with personality plus. It’s only fitting that he be returned into the reserve to breed and live in the wild.

Mauriora, hatched in December 2011, is now nearly two years old and weighs over 1.4kilograms.

Up until now Mauriora has been in the pre-release enclosure at Pukaha. His sister Manukura, the first of the white kiwi chicks to hatch, is resident in the Kiwi House while brother Mapuna will remain in the pre-release enclosure as he undergoes daily medical treatment for a minor eye problem. Mauriora’s excellent health means it is best for him to be released into the reserve.

Mauriora belongs to the Pukaha kiwi population and his release will help to build the local population. Unlike Manukura, who is happy and content in the Kiwi House, Mauriora is a go-getter and is happy and content outside.

Kiwi predators hunt by smell, so his colour is not an impediment to his survival in the wild. He will face no greater risk than any of the other brown kiwi currently living in the reserve. He will be monitored regularly and has been fitted with a transmitter to allow this

Chris Lester, DOC's Conservation Partnership Manager says “.. it’s a fabulous example of how we can all work together to achieve these gains for Kiwi conservation and it’s a recipe for success that can hopefully be used as a model to expand into other areas.”

Bob Francis, Chairman of the Board at Pukaha agrees.

“At Pukaha our aim is to have kiwi out living wild in the reserve – Mauriora is special because he is a white kiwi, but he needs to be given the opportunity to live free like the other brown kiwi currently in the reserve,” he says.

“The Board works hard to raise the necessary $160,000 annually to fund the Restoration Project, which is contracted to DOC who are ably assisted by our terrific volunteers.”

Rangitane o Wairarapa’s chief executive Jason Kerehi says “from the very beginning we said that the welfare of the kiwi was paramount. Clearly Mauriora should be free to roam rather than be locked away."

Go well Mauriora!

Helen Tickner

General Manager

ENDS

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