11 February 2011

New Zealand’s newest kiwi conservation experience opens to the public this week at Pukaha Mount Bruce where visitors to the national wildlife centre can get closer to the kiwi conservation effort there.

The $1.3 million upgrade and expansion of the existing kiwi house at Pukaha has brought the incubation of kiwi eggs and rearing of kiwi chicks at Pukaha into the public eye for the first time. Pukaha’s previously behind-the-scenes kiwi breeding programme is now housed inside the kiwi house. Viewing into new kiwi incubation and brooder rooms and a kitchen, where kiwi hatch, are hand-raised and fed, is possible from October to March during the kiwi breeding season.

After about 21 days the kiwi chicks are shifted outside to a nearby predator-fenced area. The chicks are returned to the forest when they reach one kilogram in weight. Department of Conservation Rangers working with kiwi in the new facilities will be on hand to talk with visitors.

Enlarged, landscaped kiwi enclosures house at least two adult kiwi year-round with capacity to display up to four. A new 50-seat theatre continuously screens three short films which draw the links between the kiwi breeding programme and the pest control and forest restoration work at Pukaha.

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Other new facilities within the kiwi house include a live critters display, new interpretive material and an improved tuatara enclosure and viewing. A new entranceway with a sloping pathway through native bush leading to the kiwi house makes a strong statement.

Pukaha Mount Bruce Board chairman, Bob Francis, said the project had been a community-funded and inspired effort, led by the Board and supported by the local and national trusts, the Department of Conservation, businesses and individuals.

“The new facility enables us clearly make the links between the kiwi breeding programme at Pukaha, and the release of these kiwi back into the wild - our own 940 hectares of forest,” said Mr Francis.

“Our visitors tell us seeing a kiwi is the ‘must do’ on their visit. The new facility provides a great environment for our young kiwi, adult display kiwi, visitors and staff who work there. It will contribute to a greater understanding of our work to return kiwi to our own forest and to other parts of New Zealand.”

Pukaha Mount Bruce is currently in the midst of its most successful kiwi breeding season to date, following the transfer of 30 adult kiwi from Little Barrier Island last year. The Little Barrier kiwi have bred more quickly and prolifically than anticipated, producing numerous eggs and chicks. The breeding season is expected to continue until April.

The restoration of the native Pukaha forest began in 2001 with the aim of returning the dawn chorus to the area through the reintroduction into the wild of endangered native birds.

The success of the pest control effort enabled the reintroduction of kokako and kiwi into the unfenced reserve in 2003. Kokako and kiwi had been absent from the area for 60 and 100 years respectively. Since the 2003 releases, kiwi and kokako and kaka have successfully bred in the wild.

The kiwi house continues a major redevelopment of Pukaha Mount Bruce, begun in 2008 with the $1.4 million redevelopment of the visitor centre and new interactive gallery. The colours, sights and sounds of an ancient forest, inhabited by huia and moa, were recreated indoors as part of a double award-winning project. A loop track through the forest was completed last year.

Other attractions at Pukaha include daily takahē talks, giant eel and kaka feeding, guided tours and the viewing of native birds in aviaries and in the forest.

Mr Francis said entry prices had increased by $5 for adults and $2 for children to reflect the new experiences on offer and the GST increase. Children under five are free “We have not increased the price of our attractive membership packages which allow unlimited access year-round.” Family passes and a Gold Card holder discounts are also offered.

ENDS

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