Kiwis rally behind feathered namesake

NEW RELEASE 28 October 2014

Kiwis rally behind feathered namesake

Star players from the NZRL Kiwis team took time out after their victory against Australia to support their endangered namesake, the kiwi, at Auckland Zoo on Monday.

Fans young and old lined up to meet the rugby league stars and sign messages of love to the kiwi bird, while children got their faces painted and made friends with two larger than life kiwis.

The event was organised by Kiwis for kiwi, a charity dedicated to reversing the threat of extinction facing New Zealand’s national icon, and their national Save Kiwi Month campaign has been running throughout October.

New Zealand is losing 2% of the kiwi population every year. This means 27 per week, and at this rate, if New Zealand does not accelerate the number of kiwi under protection they could disappear from the mainland in 50 years.

The Kiwis were happy to take time out from their busy Four Nations schedule to get behind Kiwis for kiwi’s cause. Kiwis player Kieran Foran said “We definitely have a strong affinity with the kiwi and if we can help others get behind this cause, we’re happy to do it”.

“What would we call ourselves if our national icon disappeared?” adds Adam Blair.

Kiwis for kiwi executive director Michelle Impey, could not be happier about the team’s support.

“So many organisations operate under the kiwi name; it’s great that The Kiwis are rallying behind their national icon and calling for other kiwis to do so too.”

For more information about Kiwis for kiwi visit www.kiwisforkiwi.org, and to keep up to date with The Kiwis busy Four Nations schedule, visit http://www.nzrl.co.nz/

ENDS

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