Media Release
14 October 2003

Act Now To Save Kiwi

New Zealand First is calling on the Conservation Minister to advance the review of kiwi sanctuaries, due in 2005, because of the threat to another small wild kiwi population.

“The population in the north-west Ruahine Ranges is declining because of uncontrolled predation by stoats, rats, cats and possums,” said conservation spokesperson Edwin Perry.

“DOC funding is used primarily to protect the kiwi in five so called “safe zones”, each with fewer than 500 birds, but spending on these areas accounts for most of DOC’s kiwi budget,” said Mr Perry.

“According to DOC officials the extinction of small local kiwi populations, such as those in the Ruahines, is inevitable under present policy because of the logistics of predator control.

“The Government has money to spare for all sorts of politically correct purposes but apparently cannot spare any to protect our national icon.

“After a recent report that kiwis are dying at the rate of 11 every day the Government must look at providing more resources for research into alternative ways of saving kiwi populations before we have to change from our national icon to that of a bird with its head stuck in the sand,” said Mr Perry.

ENDS

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