Luxury flight for little spotted kiwi in largest ever relocation effort

Thirty little spotted kiwi have been relocated to new homes throughout the North Island in a bid to improve the genetic diversity of the species.

Air New Zealand flew 10 female kiwi from Kapiti Island to Red Mercury Island off the Coromandel Peninsula, while 10 males and 10 females from Kapiti Island have been transferred to Cape Sanctuary in Hawke’s Bay.

The move is the Department of Conservation's largest-ever translocation effort, involving Air NZ, Kiwis for kiwi, Cape Sanctuary and local iwi.

"The birds are flown on Air New Zealand passenger flights using specially built boxes and our crews take a lot of pride in making sure they get to their destinations safely," Air New Zealand spokesperson Meghan Blair says.

The airline has provided flights for more than 1600 wildlife to travel around the country, including takahe, kakapo, tuatara and kiwi.

DOC spokesman Dave Carlton says transporting endangered wildlife by air helps to reduce the stress for staff and their precious cargo.

"This great team approach takes the hassle out of getting wildlife to where it needs to be."