Ackers Point kiwi release

Air New Zealand's partnership with DOC on the Rakiura Biodiversity Project saw 5 adult kiwi from Ulva Island released at Ackers Point last Friday - but not before a lively crowd of tourists and locals had a chance to meet and greet them. The Air New Zealand Green Team (Capt Chris, Lauren and Michael) made excellent ambassadors and helpers and the Weather Gods came to the party with fantastic weather, both for the release and the preceding week of locating and catching them. The Ulva Island population was established many years ago so many of the birds there were related - this transfer will be complemented by adult kiwi from other sources being released on Ulva to introduce new genes to the population there.

The ceremony kicked off around 2pm with a mihi and speeches, followed by a 'show and tell' session with the birds before they were put back in their boxes and taken to prepared release burrows. No doubt the treasured manu (birds) were relieved to be out of the spotlight and will go forth and prosper in their new homes.


The walk down to Ackers Point gives great vistas across
Halfmoon Bay

The Air New Zealand Green Team checking out the old stone cottage

Inside the cottage - hard to believe that the family brought up 8 children here

Al (right) and the Green Team arrive with the kiwi

The DOC and Air New Zealand partnership bringing back the kiwi

A large crowd of locals and visitors to the island came to see the kiwi

Meet and greet with this manu māori (native bird), a female

My, Kiwi, what big feet you have!

The walk back around the bays