Little spotted kiwi/kiwi pukupuku were recently returned to Dusky Sound in Fiordland for the first time in more than a century.

Twenty birds were transferred from Kāpiti Island north of Wellington to predator-free Anchor Island/Pukenui in Dusky Sound to start another population of this endangered kiwi.

The kaitiakitanga of kiwi pukupuku on Kāpiti Island by Ngāti Toa rangatira for over a century has enabled their redistribution back to Dusky Sound.

The birds were accompanied by Hohepa Potini, a representative of Ngāti Toa rangatira and were welcomed to the island by Dave Taylor of Ōraka-Aparima Rūnaka. [Read more…]