Community coming together for kiwi
Words Nikita Oliver Metcalfe
An inspiring and heartwarming story despite the heartbreaking ending. Kiwi are back and thriving in our area; and Nicki Morrison, owner of Doggy Bush Break, is encouraging us all to help protect and foster their population resurgence.
For dog walker Nicki, it was a usual Tuesday as she took her morning pack, nicknamed the ‘Dream Team’ due to their impeccable behaviour, for a typical adventure along Omaha Beach. It wasn’t long before her pack's attention was drawn to something in the rocks, each of them sniffing at a certain spot before walking away. This is where the story of a community's desperate effort to rescue a fallen kiwi begins.
Laying paralysed at the bottom of a cliff at the southern end of Omaha Beach was a juvenile kiwi that, despite having suffered a tremendous fall of at least 20 metres, looked to be in otherwise healthy condition. Thanks to Nicki’s quick thinking, the kiwi was kept warm in her jumper and later picked up by the Department Of Conservation (DOC). Passersby and Nicki herself were understandably in awe and overcome by the experience of seeing our precious native bird up close and in daylight.
After sharing her rescue story on her business Facebook page and later on the Omaha Beach Community page, to ensure locals were aware of the incident and the likelihood that more kiwi are living in the area, Nicki was overwhelmed by the outpouring of support. The community response was of concern and eagerness for updates on the kiwis condition, all hoping for its full recovery. “It was such a lovely, warm, vibrant, positive atmosphere that was created in the community,” says Nicki.
DOC safely delivered the young kiwi to Warkworth Farm Vets where it was monitored throughout the day and overnight. The following morning the kiwi was transferred to Auckland Zoo’s veterinary hospital for further care but sadly, due to the injuries it had sustained and underlying diseases that were discovered, euthanasia was the kindest and only option. A devastating blow for everyone involved who worked so hard to try and save the kiwi, and the community who rallied for its survival; but also a poignant reminder for Nicki, saying “our community is getting more kiwi, we have to take responsibility for them.”
With no tagging present the kiwi was not part of the release by the Ngāti Manuhiri Settlement Trust and the Tamahunga Trappers that was carried out in March 2023. Kiwi’s are territorial creatures so it seems they're moving away from Tāwharanui, where it is believed the kiwi travelled to Omaha from. Most of us aren’t aware kiwi are living this close to us and as Nicki says of the growing kiwi population, “it’s a good thing, it’s a positive thing...but hey we need to take precautions because they’re kinda special!”
Tamahunga Trappers work tirelessly to protect kiwi against their two main predators in the area, ferrets and weasels, and as a community we need to do our part. This includes driving carefully around coastlines and forest roads, keeping our cats inside at night where possible, and if our dogs are prey driven towards birds consider Kiwi Avoidance Training, a joint venture by Save The Kiwi and DOC. Taking these precautions and increasing the community's awareness of the flourishing number of kiwi in our area is the key to keeping them safe and ensuring numbers continue to grow.
If you’d like to learn more about Kiwi Avoidance Training please contact Tris Bondsfield from The Forest Bridge Trust:
tris@TheForestBridgeTrust.org.nz | 022 024 0314
If you’re concerned about the wellbeing of a kiwi in the area please contact DOC Warkworth/Great Barrier Island Area Office:
28 Baxter Street, Warkworth | 09 425 7812