A: We have the very important job of raising the young birds from chicks at a few months old to maturity at close to 3 years old. While they are in our care it is part of that role to use their presence to advocate for and educate about the species, along with the wider view of other native animals and the ecosystems they require to survive and hopefully prosper. These birds are born in captivity through the captive breeding programme. All native animals used for display and education should have been captive born. Wild-born animals are definitely put under stress if put in captivity. We have two males currently. We do not breed here as kiwi do not breed successfully in nocturnal houses. As maturity approaches Kiwi North birds are then released to a sanctuary or a facility where they are bred such as at the Otorohanga Kiwi House.
A: As a ZAA-accredited organisation deeply committed to positive animal welfare, the honest and truly thrilling answer is: while we absolutely adore sharing the magic of our Kiwi, we can't offer a 100% guarantee of a sighting.
And here's why, and why it's actually a testament to their well-being here with us! Our philosophy is rooted in providing our Kiwi with as much natural freedom as possible. They have the autonomy to choose their own spaces within their carefully designed habitat, to forage where they please, and to shelter when they desire. This freedom of choice is paramount to their welfare – and frankly, it's what makes those sightings all the more special and rewarding!
While we can't promise a guaranteed peek, we can guarantee that every effort is made to create an environment where our Kiwi thrive, and where respectful observation can lead to a truly magical moment. It's about connecting with nature on their terms, and that, my friends, is a far more enriching experience.
We want our kiwi to live a natural life and you will see kiwi demonstrating perfectly natural behaviours as they would in the wild. The Kiwi North nocturnal house is a state-of-the-art purpose built environment. Our kiwi don’t only have day and night on a reversed cycle to us, they also have a dusk and dawn, day and night temperatures with these adjusted to match natural seasons, and it rains inside the enclosure twice a week via a sprinkler system! It has a deep earth base with living insects and organisms in it. Every few weeks we add another layer of leaf litter from the native bush on the property and this has mulched down over the years. However before this goes in it is checked for any foreign bodies such as paper and plastics and checked with a metal detector for any pieces of metal. If a kiwi ingests a foreign body like these it is very serious and usually fatal. There is also a pond with running water in the enclosure. We have two manmade burrow houses in the environment and the birds can come and go in and out of these as they like, together or as individuals.
There are only ever a maximum of two kiwi in our environment or others as North Island Brown kiwi only cohabit as a pair, not in any form of extended family or social group. We are confident that the Kiwi North nocturnal house is as natural as you can get in a manmade, internal environment, and the birds leave here perfectly capable of living happily in the wild or going on to breed with none of their natural behaviours negatively impacted by their time with us.
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A: Any organisations caring for native animals in a captive situation have to have relevant permits from the Department of Conservation. These permits stipulate that the animals are handled ONLY by specific trained staff, and even then this is kept to a minimum. The animal practices are directed by species-relevant husbandry manuals and best practice guidelines. To maintain permits and gain necessary accreditation from the Zoo and Aquarium Association (ZAA), which Kiwi North is proud to have, facilities are inspected and practices are monitored. This answered more fully in the next question.
A: You will be met by members of our wonderful reception team. They will tell you about Kiwi North in general and a few special guidelines for the Kiwi House such as no lights, soft voices only and to give your eyes time to adjust to the night lighting. If the kiwi are in the burrows you will be able to watch their antics on the big screen at reception and again on a smaller screen before you enter into the nocturnal house.
Although there are insects living in the enclosure we add meal worms every morning and feed them a nationally standard diet three times per day. This is accompanied by a keeper talk and is an ideal time to ask all your questions. This diet has been carefully researched and is used for kiwi across all zoos and animal facilities. As kiwi are omnivores it is basically a mixture of lean beef, oxheart, fruit, vegetables and vitamins. It creates a standard bench mark that we can use to measure food intake and health not only here at Kiwi North but in comparison to other places that care for kiwi, this also ensures that if they are moved to another location, they are not being introduced to a new diet.
A: Kiwi are a wild, native animal and it is vital that the kiwi natural behaviours and instincts are not negatively affected by being in captivity. They are also highly susceptible to stress and therefore our kiwi are only handled for monthly health checks, staff training and obviously if there is a health concern. There is also the concern of cross-contamination through bacteria causing issues for both the animal and humans. Kiwi bodies have very little skeletal protection, and the only area they can safely be secured from is the hindquarters and legs. Mishandling can result in bruising and even damage to internal organs. Plus the power in their legs along with the razor sharp claws mean anyone not trained in handling them can be seriously injured with scars to remind them what not to do next time.
A:While the thrill of spotting a Kiwi is undeniably a highlight, your entry fee contributes to something far greater, regardless of whether you catch a glimpse of our elusive friends.
As a ZAA-accredited positive welfare organization, your support directly fuels our commitment to providing the highest standards of care for all our incredible animals, including Kiwi.
Think of your entry not just as a ticket to potentially see a Kiwi, but as an investment in their long-term welfare and the broader conservation efforts we champion. It supports our dedicated team who work tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure these taonga thrive. Furthermore, your entry fee unlocks the wonders of all our other native species habitats, allowing you to connect with a diverse range of Aotearoa's unique wildlife. You also gain access to the fascinating exhibits at the Whangārei Museum, offering a rich tapestry of our region's history and culture.
However, we absolutely understand the anticipation and excitement surrounding the possibility of a Kiwi encounter. If you've spent time observing their habitat and haven't been lucky enough to see one, please do have a chat with our friendly visitor team. They are passionate about our animals and the work we do, and they'll be happy to discuss the options available to you. We want to ensure you leave with a deeper appreciation for these remarkable birds and the conservation efforts we are undertaking, as well as the richness of our other offerings.
