Protecting kiwi: How we can ensure the safety of our country’s taonga species?

Our friends the bees need support, but so too do our friends the kiwi. That’s why Save the Kiwi is one of our Harmony Plan partners who we work closely with, as kaitiakitanga of Aotearoa to help protect and preserve nature.

As we approach the one-year anniversary of our partnership with Save the Kiwi, what better way to celebrate than to send one person and a friend to gift a name to a kiwi and release it into the wild?

We’re asking New Zealanders to tell us what they would name a kiwi and why. The winner and a friend will be flown to Auckland to release that kiwi into their natural habitat on Rotoroa Island. This is an experience that very few people will ever experience!

This is an experience that very few people will ever experience!

Read on to learn more about our friends, the kiwi.

Aotearoa New Zealand is home to one of the most unique and treasured birds in the world, the kiwi. These flightless birds are an iconic symbol of our country and are beloved by locals and visitors alike. However, kiwi continue to face a number of threats, both natural and man-made, which have put their population at risk. Many conservation efforts are underway, with the New Zealand government aiming for New Zealand to be predator-free by 2050, and numerous charities playing their part. While these organisations are putting in the mahi, it is still important that as a nation, we take steps to help protect kiwi and ensure their survival for generations to come.

One of the biggest threats facing kiwi continues to be predation by introduced species such as stoats, ferrets, and rats . These animals were brought to New Zealand by European settlers and have had a devastating impact on native wildlife, including kiwi. To combat this threat, trapping and predator control in local areas has proven to be effective, and involves setting traps or using bait stations to capture and kill invasive species. By doing this, safe havens for kiwi and other native wildlife can be created, helping them thrive stress-free.

Another way that we can help protect kiwi is by supporting kiwi conservation organisations, such as Save the Kiwi. These groups work to protect kiwi through a range of initiatives, including habitat restoration, predator control, and captive breeding programs. By donating money or volunteering time to these organisations, we can help ensure that kiwi have the best chance of survival. With the kiwi population currently declining by two per cent each year, there is a huge amount of work to do when it comes to protecting kiwi for the years to come.

Education is also proven to be an important proactive tool in protecting kiwi, as well as other native birdlife. Many people are unaware of the threats facing these birds and the steps that can be taken to help protect them, such as keeping dogs on leashes and cats indoors. By raising awareness and educating others about the importance of kiwi conservation, we can help to create a culture of care and responsibility towards these special birds.

Finally, we can help protect kiwi by supporting responsible tourism. Many visitors come to Aotearoa New Zealand to see kiwi in their natural habitat, and it is important that they do so in a way that minimises disturbance to the birds. This means following guidelines around kiwi viewing and taking care not to disturb nesting sites or feeding areas. By supporting responsible tourism practices, we can help ensure that kiwi are able to thrive in their natural environment.

Here at Comvita, we’re proud to be doing our part to protect this precious taonga species, in the form of predator free conservation land, as well as supporting Save the Kiwi. As part of our ongoing partnership, we’re proud to be giving one New Zealander the experience of a lifetime to both gift a name to a kiwi and release it on Rotoroa Island, a predator-free island in Auckland’s Hauraki Gulf.

To create a connection with a taonga species like this is something which does not happen often, and we consider it a privilege to be able to facilitate such an experience.