A surprise houseguest has been found nesting in a Kawau Island garden shed – a North Island brown kiwi.
Tucked away in a corner, the kiwi had fashioned a cosy nursery out of an eclectic collection of plastic, paper, cardboard and other bits and bobs.
An egg had been laid by a mum before dad took over for the 75 to 80-day incubation period.
For weeks, the devoted father was spotted slipping out under the cover of darkness to feed, then quietly returning home to resume his devoted vigil.
Even a curious weka popped by to inspect the unusual setup.
After concerns were raised around the egg's progress, a small team of experts from Auckland Zoo and Auckland Council paid a visit while the kiwi was away. The team confirmed the egg had developed to around 55 days but was now cold and no longer viable.
"It's always disappointing when an egg doesn’t make it, especially when dad has put in such a monumental effort," the council's principal specialist for natural environment operations Lisa Tolich said.
"But every nesting attempt tells us something important about how our kiwi are doing and reminds us of just how resilient and determined our kiwi are."
While it was a bittersweet ending for the family, the kiwi had since been picked up on camera alive and well.
A survey carried out between January and March 2025 revealed 56 kiwi on Kawau Island – with 51 adults handled. No chicks or juveniles had been found.
"That absence of young birds suggests breeding success has been low in recent years," Tolich said.
"Dry conditions, habitat degradation and heavy browsing of undergrowth by wallabies are likely reducing food availability and putting pressure on adults."
Genetic testing also showed Kawau kiwi had very low genetic diversity, tracing back to a small founding population introduced in the 1860s. While unique traits remained, long-term resilience would rely on careful habitat restoration, wallaby control and managed genetic exchange.
What to do if you find a kiwi nesting on your property
Do not disturb – if the bird is sitting on eggs, don’t move the nest, the egg or the bird
Keep it safe – make sure cats and dogs can’t disturb it
Consider having a backyard trap
Report it to the Department of Conservation. They may even want to monitor the bird – 0800 DOC HOT (0800 362 468)
Don’t try to handle, feed (including leaving out food) or move the bird.
SHARE ME