Kiwi House
Kenny is a feisty little female kiwi. Born in the South Island, her keepers originally thought that she was a boy, but even after they discovered she was female the name stuck. Kenny is one of a non-breeding pair of kiwi birds safely nestled in the Kiwi House of Te Puia – where we are dedicated to saving our national icon from extinction.
While Kenny rules the roost, Nohi, a 3yr old male born and bred here at Te Puia, is quite happy out of the limelight. The kiwis’ very different personalities give visitors a unique insight into New Zealand’s iconic and endangered flightless bird.
Extrovert and introvert
Inside a protected natural habitat Kenny (7) and Nohi live, work and occasionally quarrel. ‘Whenever groups are coming through, Kenny always scurries for the front of the window,’ explains kiwi keeper, Anne Bryers. ‘It’s one-way glass so she can’t see out, but she seems to know when there’s an audience and a chance to show off!’
Meanwhile Nohi is quieter, and loves to simply climb and jump off rocks. “He knows when Kenny is in a mood and just stays out of her way,’ adds Anne. ‘ He’s a clever little man.”
Recovery and success
The Kiwi House opened as a display centre in 1976. Ten years later Te Puia began receiving injured kiwi, often found in traps or on roadsides. It became something of a haven, with a remarkable recovery rate for its injured birds. Based on this success, a kiwi breeding programme was introduced in 1999.
The kiwi mates for life and will never take another partner. A disproportionately large egg makes laying quite an ordeal for the female while the male, who incubates the egg, will often abandon it. Breeding pairs are quarantined, but non-breeding kiwis like Kenny and Nohi play an equally important role in the survival of their species as they increase public awareness about the plight of our adorable yet endangered national icon.
Because kiwi are extremely sensitive to light and movement, photography is not permitted in the Kiwi House.
Kiwi Breeding Programme
In October 2002, Te Puia welcomed a new member of the whānau (family). Te Iti Pounamu (‘little treasure’) was the first kiwi to be born in captivity in New Zealand without human intervention or artificial incubation. This was a significant event for the breeding programme at Te Puia’s Kiwi Conservation Centre.
Over the next two years, two more chicks were hatched at the centre’s protected natural habitat – again without artificial incubation. In keeping with the Māori tradition of respecting nature, the centre ensures that its kiwi have virtually no human contact. ‘We wanted to give nature a chance to take care of its own,’ says kiwi keeper, Anne Bryers.
Nurture from afar
Staff at the centre spent many years coming up with ways which they thought would improve the lives of the kiwi. ‘As kaitiaki, (guardians),’ explains Anne, ‘our role is to provide a safe, natural place rather than impose our ideals. We nurture gently and from afar.’
She and a second kiwi keeper are the only staff allowed to enter the kiwi breeding habitat and only do so in emergencies. In one instance, an egg was retrieved and sent off site for artificial incubation only after it was abandoned. It survived and a small female kiwi was hatched in March 2004. She was named MACI Dearheart at her new home in recognition of Te Puia’s work as the Māori Arts and Crafts Institute (MACI).
Dress for success
MACI, Te Iti Pounamu and their kin are Te Puia’s contribution to the survival of our national taonga (treasure) and it is a role our keepers take to heart. They are typically protective of their ‘babies’ right down to their dress. Kiwis are extremely sensitive to smell so the keepers do not wear any kind of scented perfume and don quarantine clothing. Hair clips or any other accessory which can fall are removed.
Ngā Manu o Te Puia (The Birds of Te Puia)
Conservation is a priority at Te Puia and our other unique and endangered birds are protected in the natural surroundings of the area.
Tui (Parson Bird)
The native tui is the nightingale of New Zealand with a beautifully pure and distinctive song. A tui is believed to be so eloquent that it is a great honour for a Māori orator to be likened to the tui.
Tirairaka (Fantail)
Often seen in pairs, the native tirairaka seems a friendly and happy little bird as it flits through branches and chatters endlessly. The tirairaka is seen by Māori as a messenger – its presence signalling that loved ones are thinking of you. Tirairaka are also tohu (divine signs) for some Māori, that someone has or is about to pass-away.
Whio (Blue Duck)
An ancient inhabitant of our land, the whio is now highly endangered and extremely rare. Both the Rotowhio Lake and Rotowhio Marae, site of the fortified village, are named after this bird which once dotted our waters.
Ruru (Morepork or New Zealand Owl)
For Māori, the ruru is a guardian with powers to protect, warn and advise. A plaintive call, heard at night, is believed to come from the spirit world. It may represent an ancestor and can herald both sad and good news.
