Ginger is the New Black

Ginger is the New Black

With famous ginger pop star Ed Sheeran on stage in NZ, another ginger media star - Kindara– took front stage at the weekend.

Kindara, the uniquely coloured kiwi chick at his stoat-proof weight was released back into the wild.

The Ginger Kiwi followed Manukura the White Kiwi last November for his unique colouring. His colouring tickled the fancy of red head Emma Bean who works at the Rainbow Springs Kiwi Encounter where Kindara’s egg was incubated and hatched. Ms Bean made a special trip to Ohakune for Kindara’s release to the wild into the Karioi Rāhui on the Southern side of Mt Ruapehu.

Also at the release students from Tauhara College, Kindara’s sponsors. They watched Kindara’s journey after sponsoring the chick raised at Rainbow Springs, and gained naming rights through the National Kiwi Trust. They visited Kindara in Rotorua after he hatched, and were there to welcome him to crèche at the Wairakei Golf + Sanctuary, Taupō in November. Two students helped the DOC Kiwi team catch Kindara at Wairakei, and a group of students went to the forest to take part in Kindara’s release.

Two ginger chicks: Kindara & Emma Bean from Rainbow Springs Kiwi Encounter

Tauhara student Tegan Clark explained, “Through Kindara’s sponsorship, the students know more about the kiwi and their plight, and the efforts going towards saving kiwi”.

Kindara is one of an estimated 70,000 kiwi left in New Zealand. He’s one of the lucky ones with a very good chance of survival thanks to a great collaborative effort.

Tauhara College student Hayleigh Pine happy to help release Kindara into the Karioi Rāhui, Southern Mt Ruapehu, with kiwi ranger Jenny Hayward.

“This is what saving kiwi is all about – inspiring future generations to care for our native species” says Kiwis for Kiwi executive director Michelle Impey.

If you are interested in learning more about how you can help save kiwi, or to make a secure online donation, please visit www.kiwisforkiwi.org If you are specifically interested in supporting the work of the Kiwi Encounter please donate at www.rainbowsprings.co.nz/donate or for naming rights please email sponsorship@nkt.org.nz

ENDS

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