Latest news with #IainGraham
The Advertiser
16-07-2025
- Science
- The Advertiser
Rare kiwi found in NZ for first time in 50 years
A rare kiwi has been found in the wild on mainland New Zealand for the first time in 50 years, the nation's conservation authority says. The smallest of the kiwi species, the kiwi pukupuku (little spotted kiwi), was thought to only live in offshore islands and fenced predator-free sites, the Department of Conservation (DOC) said. However, a DOC-contracted hunter spotted the bird in a remote part of the South Island's West Coast. DOC ranger Iain Graham and his conservation dog Brew were flown in to locate it. "I heard kiwi calling the first night - two of them duetting - and immediately knew they didn't sound like other kiwi. It was exciting, but it took a few days to narrow down the area," Graham said. "We were in rough terrain, in typical West Coast weather, and I was running out of dry clothes. Brew would find a burrow, but I couldn't get to the bird. We were so frustratingly close," he added. "I was stoked when we finally caught up with the female on our final night, the absolute last chance before getting flown out." Tiny feathers were collected from the kiwi to confirm the bird was a kiwi pukupuku. Kiwi Recovery Group leader Emily King said the discovery was almost miraculous. "The last known sighting of a kiwi pukupuku on the mainland was in 1978. Despite years of targeted searching, we hadn't found them - until now." "Kiwi pukupuku are one of those unique species which make Aotearoa New Zealand so special. I'm not sure how to express how thrilling this rediscovery is for the conservation world." DOC will now work with local Maori to protect and manage the birds, of which an estimated 2000 remain. A rare kiwi has been found in the wild on mainland New Zealand for the first time in 50 years, the nation's conservation authority says. The smallest of the kiwi species, the kiwi pukupuku (little spotted kiwi), was thought to only live in offshore islands and fenced predator-free sites, the Department of Conservation (DOC) said. However, a DOC-contracted hunter spotted the bird in a remote part of the South Island's West Coast. DOC ranger Iain Graham and his conservation dog Brew were flown in to locate it. "I heard kiwi calling the first night - two of them duetting - and immediately knew they didn't sound like other kiwi. It was exciting, but it took a few days to narrow down the area," Graham said. "We were in rough terrain, in typical West Coast weather, and I was running out of dry clothes. Brew would find a burrow, but I couldn't get to the bird. We were so frustratingly close," he added. "I was stoked when we finally caught up with the female on our final night, the absolute last chance before getting flown out." Tiny feathers were collected from the kiwi to confirm the bird was a kiwi pukupuku. Kiwi Recovery Group leader Emily King said the discovery was almost miraculous. "The last known sighting of a kiwi pukupuku on the mainland was in 1978. Despite years of targeted searching, we hadn't found them - until now." "Kiwi pukupuku are one of those unique species which make Aotearoa New Zealand so special. I'm not sure how to express how thrilling this rediscovery is for the conservation world." DOC will now work with local Maori to protect and manage the birds, of which an estimated 2000 remain. A rare kiwi has been found in the wild on mainland New Zealand for the first time in 50 years, the nation's conservation authority says. The smallest of the kiwi species, the kiwi pukupuku (little spotted kiwi), was thought to only live in offshore islands and fenced predator-free sites, the Department of Conservation (DOC) said. However, a DOC-contracted hunter spotted the bird in a remote part of the South Island's West Coast. DOC ranger Iain Graham and his conservation dog Brew were flown in to locate it. "I heard kiwi calling the first night - two of them duetting - and immediately knew they didn't sound like other kiwi. It was exciting, but it took a few days to narrow down the area," Graham said. "We were in rough terrain, in typical West Coast weather, and I was running out of dry clothes. Brew would find a burrow, but I couldn't get to the bird. We were so frustratingly close," he added. "I was stoked when we finally caught up with the female on our final night, the absolute last chance before getting flown out." Tiny feathers were collected from the kiwi to confirm the bird was a kiwi pukupuku. Kiwi Recovery Group leader Emily King said the discovery was almost miraculous. "The last known sighting of a kiwi pukupuku on the mainland was in 1978. Despite years of targeted searching, we hadn't found them - until now." "Kiwi pukupuku are one of those unique species which make Aotearoa New Zealand so special. I'm not sure how to express how thrilling this rediscovery is for the conservation world." DOC will now work with local Maori to protect and manage the birds, of which an estimated 2000 remain. A rare kiwi has been found in the wild on mainland New Zealand for the first time in 50 years, the nation's conservation authority says. The smallest of the kiwi species, the kiwi pukupuku (little spotted kiwi), was thought to only live in offshore islands and fenced predator-free sites, the Department of Conservation (DOC) said. However, a DOC-contracted hunter spotted the bird in a remote part of the South Island's West Coast. DOC ranger Iain Graham and his conservation dog Brew were flown in to locate it. "I heard kiwi calling the first night - two of them duetting - and immediately knew they didn't sound like other kiwi. It was exciting, but it took a few days to narrow down the area," Graham said. "We were in rough terrain, in typical West Coast weather, and I was running out of dry clothes. Brew would find a burrow, but I couldn't get to the bird. We were so frustratingly close," he added. "I was stoked when we finally caught up with the female on our final night, the absolute last chance before getting flown out." Tiny feathers were collected from the kiwi to confirm the bird was a kiwi pukupuku. Kiwi Recovery Group leader Emily King said the discovery was almost miraculous. "The last known sighting of a kiwi pukupuku on the mainland was in 1978. Despite years of targeted searching, we hadn't found them - until now." "Kiwi pukupuku are one of those unique species which make Aotearoa New Zealand so special. I'm not sure how to express how thrilling this rediscovery is for the conservation world." DOC will now work with local Maori to protect and manage the birds, of which an estimated 2000 remain.
Perth Now
16-07-2025
- Science
- Perth Now
Rare kiwi found in NZ for first time in 50 years
A rare kiwi has been found in the wild on mainland New Zealand for the first time in 50 years, the nation's conservation authority says. The smallest of the kiwi species, the kiwi pukupuku (little spotted kiwi), was thought to only live in offshore islands and fenced predator-free sites, the Department of Conservation (DOC) said. However, a DOC-contracted hunter spotted the bird in a remote part of the South Island's West Coast. DOC ranger Iain Graham and his conservation dog Brew were flown in to locate it. "I heard kiwi calling the first night - two of them duetting - and immediately knew they didn't sound like other kiwi. It was exciting, but it took a few days to narrow down the area," Graham said. "We were in rough terrain, in typical West Coast weather, and I was running out of dry clothes. Brew would find a burrow, but I couldn't get to the bird. We were so frustratingly close," he added. "I was stoked when we finally caught up with the female on our final night, the absolute last chance before getting flown out." Tiny feathers were collected from the kiwi to confirm the bird was a kiwi pukupuku. Kiwi Recovery Group leader Emily King said the discovery was almost miraculous. "The last known sighting of a kiwi pukupuku on the mainland was in 1978. Despite years of targeted searching, we hadn't found them - until now." "Kiwi pukupuku are one of those unique species which make Aotearoa New Zealand so special. I'm not sure how to express how thrilling this rediscovery is for the conservation world." DOC will now work with local Maori to protect and manage the birds, of which an estimated 2000 remain.
RNZ News
15-07-2025
- Science
- RNZ News
Little spotted kiwi found on New Zealand's mainland for first time in 50 years
A female kiwi pukupuku found in the Adams Wilderness Area, the first in nearly 50 years. Photo: Lucy Holyoake/DOC Conservationists are delighted after a unique kiwi was rediscovered in Aotearoa for the first time in 50 years. The little spotted kiwi, or kiwi pukupuku, was first spotted in the remote Adams Wilderness Area in the West Coast by a Department of Conservation (DOC) hunter. It prompted DOC biodiversity ranger Iain Graham, alongside his conservation dog Brew, to fly in to locate the bird. "I heard kiwi calling the first night - two of them duetting - and immediately knew they didn't sound like other kiwi. It was exciting, but it took a few days to narrow down the area," Graham said. He said the trip was a bit of rollercoaster. "We were in rough terrain, in typical West Coast weather, and I was running out of dry clothes. Brew would find a burrow, but I couldn't get to the bird. We were so frustratingly close," he said. "I was stoked when we finally caught up with the female on our final night, the absolute last chance before getting flown out." Tiny feathers were collected from the small spotted kiwi to confirm the bird was a kiwi pukupuku, the smallest kiwi species. A little spotted kiwi, or kiwi pukupuku. Photo: Tom Lynch Kiwi pukupuku are extremely vulnerable to introduced predators. Until now, it was believed they only survived in offshore islands and fenced predator-free sites. An estimated 2000 of the threatened birds remain, though the population is increasing thanks to the conservation efforts of community groups, agencies, and tangata whenua, DOC said. Despite years of searching, the last known sighting of a kiwi pukupuku on the mainland was in 1978. "Kiwi pukupuku are one of those unique species which make Aotearoa New Zealand so special. I'm not sure how to express how thrilling this rediscovery is for the conservation world," Kiwi Recovery Group leader Emily King said. Kara Edwards, of Kāti Māhaki ki Makaawhio, said the find was an opportunity for hapū to connect with what had been considered a lost taonga. "Knowing kiwi pukupuku have survived this whole time in our takiwā is incredible. We are extremely excited and looking forward to working with DOC to secure the future of kiwi pukupuku." Since the sighting, Graham and Brew have returned to the area and captured a male kiwi. "We'll wait for genetic analysis to confirm, but the measurements look right for a kiwi pukupuku," Graham said. DOC is gathering information to work with Kāti Māhaki ki Makaawhio to explore the future protection and management of these birds. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
