The Tamahunga Trappers and Ngāti Manuhiri are delighted to announce that the first kiwi chicks in 50 years have recently hatched on Tamahunga.

After 10 adult kiwi were released into the forest in March this year, the transmitter signal of a male kiwi – Scottie – recently changed from a pattern indicating incubation to one of normal nocturnal activity, before giving some unusual signal combinations.

All the birds were fitted with specialised transmitters that monitor their location - and movement; indicating nesting, foraging and how active they are at any given time.

A team of Tamahunga Trappers, along with a Kiwi Accredited Handler, tracked the kiwi to capture and check his transmitter. When they found the nest, Scottie ran and hid, not wanting to be caught.

On checking the nest to confirm that there was a hatched chick, the team was delighted to see two healthy young chicks snuggled in the nest.

Ngāti Manuhiri have gifted the names of Uenuku (Rainbow) and Tohu (gift/sign of something happening) for these new additions to the maunga. As they are twin/siblings, their names together mean: Gifts of the Rainbow.

The Tamahunga Trappers would like to take this chance to thank all of the volunteers that do the mahi, trapping predators and tracking the kiwi, the land owners and neighbours who enable the work to continue and also undertaking predator control, as well as a huge thanks to all our partners, sponsors and supporters.

Photo credit: Tamahunga Trappers - Kiwi accredited handler holding one of the new kiwi chicks on Tamahunga.

Photo credit: Tamahunga Trappers - Scottie with one of his chicks (before he did a runner).

Photo credit: Tamahunga Trappers - The two little fluff balls - Uenuku (Rainbow) and Tohu (gift/sign of something happening).