02/06/2026
We were so lucky to be part of the arrival of the first kiwi to Waiheke this time last year, we brought a group of eco-warrier students from Waiheke Primary to help transport these guys to their new home and we are so thrilled to see them thriving!!!
Amazing mahi, work - this is a beautiful repost...
Meet the kiwi chicks on Waiheke 🤎
The next generation of kiwis is happily growing up on the motu.
Did you know that kiwi chicks come into the world with an incredible survival trick built in?
When they hatch, nearly half their body weight is made up of a giant internal yolk sac, basically a built-in packed lunch that gives them all the food they need for their first 7–10 days of life. That means they can stay safely hidden in their burrow without needing mum or dad to bring them food.
Unlike most chicks, kiwi don’t spend their early days calling out or begging for food. Staying quiet and hidden gives them a natural survival edge as a ground-dwelling bird, helping them avoid detection while they grow stronger.
But kiwi evolved without mammalian predators. Introduced predators like stoats, feral cats, and dogs hunt by smell, meaning chicks are still massively vulnerable. In places without predator control, only around 5% of kiwi chicks survive to adulthood.
Thanks to Te Matuku Farm for sharing these awesome videos.
