Mayor’s column: Kiwi reintroduced today

It is a momentous conservation achievement that today, 40 little spotted kiwi or kiwi pukupuku are being reintroduced into our Brook Waimārama Sanctuary after an absence of 100 years.

The little spotted kiwi was NZ’s most prolific kiwi species numbering many millions. They have long been extinct on the North and South Islands due to being so vulnerable to predators, particularly stoats. There are only 1900 birds on a few protected islands and in zoos. Our 40 are coming from Kapiti Island.

This reintroduction is only possible because of the visionary work led by the late Dave Butler creating the pest-free Sanctuary, the largest in the South Island. We owe thanks to the donors for the millions raised for the predator-proof fence and the tireless work of thousands of volunteers.

Council has contributed by leasing the land to the Brook Waimārama Sanctuary Trust in 2004, granting $1 million for the fence and providing annual funding of about $176,000. I played a small part in helping secure a $1.25 million Government grant in 2014 and last year, lobbying Minister Tama Potaka for DOC’s support for the kiwi transfer.

The pest eradication work in 2017 was intensely controversial. It was unsuccessfully challenged by the Brook Valley Community Group in the High Court, Court of Appeal and Supreme Court. There was deliberate sabotage of the fence and a helicopter fuel tank that was being used for the poisoning operation. I was assaulted with rat poison in the worst altercation in 30 years of being at the Nelson Market.

The reintroduction of kiwi this week follows that of kākāriki karaka (orange-fronted parakeets) in 2021, powelliphanta (giant land snails) in 2022 and tuatara last year.

I love that we will be able to hear the call of the kiwi so close to our city and that our children will be able to experience our national icon. It’s also preferable that species are experienced in their natural habitat.

The reintroduction of kiwi will also help grow our visitor industry and enhance the adjacent Brook campground, which Council recently leased to the Sanctuary.

Congratulations to the Trust, DOC, iwi and everyone involved.