THREATENED SPECIES RECOVERY PLAN 64
Kiwi Recovery Plan 2018–2028
Mahere Whakaora Kiwi 2018–2028
Jennifer Germano, Suzy Barlow, Isabel Castro, Rogan Colbourne, Morgan Cox, Craig Gillies,
Kevin Hackwell, Joe Harawira, Michelle Impey, Arapata Reuben, Hugh Robertson,
Jess Scrimgeour, Wendy Sporle and Sandy Yong
Contributors (alphabetical order):
Leana Barriball (DOC BG), Bridget Baynes (DOC Ops), Emma Bean (Ngāi Tahu Tourism/Rainbow Springs),
Brent Beaven (DOC BG), Rongo Bentson (Te Rarawa), Lucy Bridgman (DOC BG), Rhys Burns (DOC BG), Kevin
Carter (DOC Ops), Tracey Dearlove (DOC Ops), Oli Du Bern (Wellington Zoo), Richard Earl (DOC BG), Hannah
Edmonds (DOC Ops), Clea Gardiner (K4K, Auckland Zoo), Neil Gemmell (University of Otago), Rod Hitchmough
(DOC BG), Avi Holzapfel (DOC Ops), Tiki Hutching (Ngā Whenua Rāhui), John Innes (LCR), Peter Jahn (Lincoln
University), Jenny Long (DOC Ops), Edy MacDonald (DOC BG), Jack Mace (DOC Ops), Lynne Maguire, Matt
Maitland (Auckland Council), Troy Makan (DOC BG), Kate McInnes (DOC BG), Nicholas McLay (DOC Corporate
Services), John McLennan (K4K), Scott Nicol (DOC), Conrad O’Carroll (Tiaki Te Mauri o Parininihi Trust), Oliver
Overdyck (DOC BG), Em Oyston (DOC Ops), Blair Peters (Te Rarawa), Ana Ramon-Laca (LCR), Kristina Ramstad
(University of South Carolina Aiken), Kate Richardson (DOC Ops), Jason Roxburgh (K4K), Lyndon Slater
(DOC Ops), Jason Taiaroa (Ngā Whenua Rāhui), Ian Tarei (Omataroa Kiwi Project), Helen Taylor (University of
Otago), Nicola Toki (DOC), Robin Toy (Friends of Flora), Sandy Toy (Friends of Flora), Claire Travers (Ngāi Tahu
Tourism/Rainbow Springs), Patrick van Diepen (DOC Ops), Daniel White (LCR), Paula Williams (Project Kiwi)
Additional feedback and contributions came from participants of the 2016 Whānau, Hapū and Iwi in Conservation
Hui at Tūteao Marae, Te Teko.
Cover: Young brown kiwi (Apteryx mantelli) chick, Whakatāne Kiwi Trust, Ohope. Photo: Neil Hutton.
This report is available from the departmental website in pdf form. Titles are listed in our catalogue on the website, refer www.doc.govt.nz under
Publications.
© Copyright November 2018, New Zealand Department of Conservation
ISSN
ISBN
ISBN
1178–0169 (web PDF)
978–1–98–851473–4 (web PDF)
978–1–98-851474–1 (hard copy)
This report was prepared for publication by the Creative Services Team; editing by Amanda Todd and Lynette Clelland and layout by Lynette
Clelland. Publication was approved by the Director, Terrestrial Ecosystems Unit, Department of Conservation, Wellington, New Zealand.
Published by Creative Services Team, Department of Conservation, PO Box 10420, The Terrace, Wellington 6143, New Zealand.
In the interest of forest conservation, we support paperless electronic publishing.
CONTENTS
Foreword
1
Kupu whakataki
2
Abstract
3
Tuhinga whakarāpopoto
4
1.
Introduction
5
2.
Plan details
5
2.1
Term and review date
5
2.2
Development process
5
2.3
How the Recovery Plan fits with other kiwi documents
6
3.
4.
5.
Context
7
3.1
Overview of species
3.1.1
Kiwi whakapapa
3.1.2
Species ecology and biology
3.1.3
Past and present kiwi distribution
3.1.4
Population estimates and species recovery phases
3.1.5
Agents of decline and threats
7
7
7
8
10
10
3.2
Kiwi conservation in the journey to a predator-free New Zealand
12
3.3
Past management and the species response
13
3.4
Current state of management
14
3.5
A new phase of conservation: increasing the scale of in situ management
15
Ngā mātāpono me ngā whāinga – Principles and goals
16
4.1
Ngā mātāpono – Recovery principles for kiwi
16
4.2
Long-term recovery goal
17
4.3
Recovery-plan-period goals
4.3.1
Management
4.3.2
Research and innovation
4.3.3
Engaging people with kiwi and their recovery
4.3.4
Growing and sustaining the kiwi conservation effort
17
17
17
17
17
Implementation
18
5.1
19
19
21
22
23
24
25
Management
5.1.1
Topic 1 – Pest control
5.1.2
Topic 2 – Threat of dogs to kiwi
5.1.3
Topic 3 – Genetic management
5.1.4
Topic 4 – Measuring management effectiveness
5.1.5
Topic 5 – Data management
5.1.6
Topic 6 – Recovery planning: national level
5.1.7
5.1.8
5.1.9
5.1.10
5.1.11
5.1.12
5.1.13
5.1.14
Topic 7 – Planning and coordination for regional, species or topic-focused working groups
Topic 8 – DOC-led kiwi projects
Topic 9 – Best practice for kiwi management
Topic 10 – Translocations
Topic 11 – Kōhanga kiwi/translocated source site populations
Topic 12 – Operation Nest Egg (ONE)
Topic 13 – Protecting kiwi within the production landscape
Topic 14 – Kiwi protection in the urban and rural environment
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
5.2
Engaging people with kiwi and their recovery
5.2.1
Topic 15 – Tangata whenua
5.2.2
Topic 16 – Engagement and advocacy
5.2.3
Topic 17 – Captive coordination and husbandry
34
34
35
36
5.3
Research
5.3.1
Topic 18 – Research planning
5.3.2
Topic 19 – Life history and population demographics of kiwi
37
37
38
5.4
Growing and sustaining the kiwi conservation effort
5.4.1
Topic 20 – People and groups
5.4.2
Topic 21 – Mātauranga/knowledge
5.4.3
Topic 22 – Funding
39
39
40
40
6.
Acknowledgements
42
7.
References
42
Appendix 1
Te Reo Glossary
44
Appendix 2
Associated strategic directives
45
Appendix 3
Definitions and abbreviations
47
Appendix 4
Isolation by distance
49
Appendix 5
Relevance of recovery actions to individual kiwi taxa
50
Appendix 6
Timeline of recovery actions
54
Appendix 7
Alignment of actions with the Department of Conservation’s Intermediate Outcome Objectives and
Stretch Goals
57
Foreword
The Director, Terrestrial Ecosystems of the Department of Conservation (DOC) formally
approved this threatened species recovery plan on 5 November 2018.
Threatened species recovery plans provide high-level recovery goals and objectives that drive
recovery programmes and identify the priority actions needed to advance species recovery
towards those goals.
•• The Kiwi Recovery Plan 2018–2028 provides direction to the kiwi recovery programme
by setting goals and objectives that will secure kiwi from extinction and advance their
recovery,
•• Is proactive, focuses on significant kiwi recovery issues, and identifies measurable recovery
actions needed to achieve the plans goals and objectives.
•• Identifies the priority recovery actions to be implemented by DOC, iwi, partners and
stakeholders,
•• Provides a basis from which DOC operational staff can develop annual operational work
plans that integrate kiwi recovery,
•• Provides a framework to reach recovery goals through collaboration between government,
tangata whenua, community groups, captive institutions, councils, non-profit organisations,
landowners, researchers and members of the public, and
•• Stimulates the development of best-practice techniques and documents that help guide
implementation of recovery actions.
The Kiwi Recovery Group* led the preparation of this plan with engagement from people
interested in kiwi recovery or affected by this plan, including tangata whenua, kiwi experts,
conservation practitioners and managers from DOC and the community, captive institutions,
councils, non-profit organisations and others. Over fifty contributors have helped form the plan.
Drafts were sent to relevant DOC Operations Districts, Managers and Directors for comment and
to people and organisations with an interest in kiwi conservation. The recovery planning process
included opportunities for further consultation between DOC and tangata whenua and the draft
was subject to technical reviews internally within DOC and externally. Changes to the plan were
made as a result of this consultation and the technical reviews.
The Kiwi Recovery Group will review progress to implement this plan and recommend to
managers and practitioners changes that may be required in the delivery of kiwi recovery. Those
interested in being more involved in kiwi recovery or in receiving information should direct
queries to the Kiwi Recovery Group via any DOC office or to the Manager, Central Terrestrial
Ecosystems Team (PO Box 10420, Wellington 6143).
A review of the plan is due in 2022, or sooner if new information or technology leads to a
significant change in the direction of kiwi recovery or the goals of this plan are met sooner than
anticipated. The review may result in the revision of the plan or the development of a new plan.
This plan will remain operative until a new plan has been approved.
* The role of the Kiwi Recovery Group is to provide high-quality strategic and technical advice that sets the direction for kiwi
recovery and supports implementation of recovery actions.
Threatened Species Recovery Plan 64
1
Kupu whakataki
Nā te Kaihautū, Pūnaha Taiāo, Kāhui Kanorau Koiora o Te Papa Atawhai (DOC) tēnei mahere
whakaora momo mōrearea i whakamana ā-kawa i te 5 Whiringa-ā-rangi 2018.
Kei te whakarato ngā mahere whakaora momo mōrearea i ngā whāinga me ngā tūmanako
whakaora pae-teitei hei kōkiri i ngā hōtaka whakaora, hei tohu hoki i ngā mahi matua me tutuki
hei whakaahu whakamua i te whakaoranga momo ki aua whāinga.
•• Ko te Mahere Whakaora Kiwi 2018–2028 kei te whakarato aronga ki te hōtaka whakaora
kiwi mā te whakatakoto whāinga, tūmanako anō hoki hei pupuru i te kiwi mai i te korehāhā
me te whakaahu whakamua i tōna whakaoranga,
•• He whakaneinei, ā kei te aro ki ngā take whakaora kiwi hira, me te tohu i ngā mahi
whakaora ka taea te ine me mātua whakamahi hei whakatutuki i ngā whāinga me ngā
tūmanako o te mahere,
•• Kei te tohu i ngā mahi whakaora matua hei whakatinanatanga mā Te Papa Atawhai, mā ngā
iwi, mā ngā hoa rangapū, mā ngā hunga whaipānga anō hoki,
•• Kei te whakarato i tētahi pūtake mā ngā kaimahi ā-ringa o Te Papa Atawhai hei
whakawhanake i ngā mahere mahi ā-tau e whakauruuru ana ai i te whakaoranga kiwi,
•• Kei te whakarato i tētahi pou tarāwaho kia tutuki ai ngā whāinga whakaora mā te mahi
ngātahi a te kāwanatanga rātou ko ngā tangata whenua, ko ngā rōpū hapori, ko ngā
whakahaere rarau, ko ngā kaunihera, ko ngā whakahaere kore huamoni, ko ngā kaipupuri
whenua, ko ngā mema o te hunga tūmatanui anō hoki, me
•• Kei te whakamanawa i te whakawhanaketanga o ngā tino tikanga me ngā pukapuka hei
tautoko i te arataki mō te whakaritenga o ngā mahi whakaora.
He mea ārahi e te Rōpū Whakaora Kiwi (Kiwi Recovery Group)* te whakaritenga o tēnei mahere
me te tūhonotanga o ngā tāngata e kaingākau ana ki te whakaoranga kiwi, e pāngia ana rānei
e tēnei mahere, tae atu ki ngā tangata whenua, ngā pūkenga kiwi, ngā kaimahi tiaki taiao me
ngā kaiwhakahaere mai i Te Papa Atawhai, te hapori, ngā whakahaere rarau, ngā kaunihera,
ngā whakahaere kore huamoni, a wai atu, a wai atu. Neke atu i te rima tekau ngā kaiāwhina
kua tautoko hei hanga i te mahere. I tukuna ngā tuhinga hukihuki ki ā Te Papa Atawhai Rohe
ā-Mahi, Kaiwhakahaere, Kaitohu hoki e hāngai ana hei tuku kōrero mai, ki ngā tāngata me ngā
whakahaere e whai pānga ana ki te tiakitanga kiwi hoki. I whai wāhi ki te hātepe whakamahere
whakaoranga ētahi kōwhiringa mō te uiuinga i waenganui i Te Papa Atawhai rātou ko ngā
tangata whenua, ā i tukuna hoki te tuhinga hukihuki ki ētahi arotakenga hangarau ki roto tonu
i Te Papa Atawhai, ki waho anō hoki. Hei hua o taua uiuinga me ngā arotakenga hangarau i
panonihia ētahi āhuatanga o te mahere.
Ka arotake te Rōpū Whakaora Kiwi i te haere whakamua kia whakatinanatia tēnei mahere me
te tūtohu ki ngā kaiwhakahaere, ki ngā kaimahi ā-ringa hoki ngā panoni ka hiahiatia pea ki
ngā mahi whakaora kiwi. Ko te hunga e kaingākau ana kia kaha ake te whai wāhi mai ki te
whakaoranga o te kiwi, te whiwhi rānei ki ētahi pārongo me tuku i ngā pātai ki te Rōpū Whakaora
Kiwi (Kiwi Recovery Group) ki tētahi tari o Te Papa Atawhai, ki te Kaiwhakahaere/Manager,
Central Terrestrial Ecosystems Team (PO Box 10420, Wellington 6143).
Me arotake te mahere hei te tau 2022, i mua rānei i taua tau mēnā ka tohua e te mōhiohio hou,
te hangarau hou rānei tētahi panoni hira i te aronga o te whakaoranga kiwi, mēnā rānei ka
whakatutukihia ngā whāinga o tēnei mahere i mua i te wā kua tohua. Mā taua arotakenga e hua
mai pea te whakahounga o te mahere, te whakawhanaketanga rānei o tētahi mahere hou. Ka whai
mana tonu tēnei mahere tae noa atu ki te whakaaetanga o tētahi mahere hou.
* Ko te mahi a te Rōpū Whakaora Kiwi ko te tuku i te kupu āwhina papai ā-rautaki, ā-hangarau hoki hei whakatakoto i te aronga o
te whakaoranga kiwi, hei tautoko i te whakatinanatanga o ngā mahi whakaora.
2
Germano et al. — Kiwi Recovery Plan 2018–2028
Kiwi Recovery Plan 2018–2028
Jennifer Germano1, Suzy Barlow2, Isabel Castro3, Rogan Colbourne4, Morgan Cox5,
Craig Gillies6, Kevin Hackwell7, Joe Harawira4, Michelle Impey5, Arapata Reuben8,
Hugh Robertson4, Jess Scrimgeour4, Wendy Sporle5 and Sandy Yong9
1
Department of Conservation, Private Bag 5, Nelson, New Zealand
2
Zoo and Aquarium Association, PO Box 20, Mosman NSW 2088, Australia
3
Wildlife and Ecology Group, College of Agriculture and Environment, Massey University,
Private Bag 11222, Palmerston North 4410, New Zealand
4
Department of Conservation, PO Box 10420, Wellington 6143, New Zealand
5
Kiwis for kiwi, Private Bag 68908, Newton, Auckland 1145, New Zealand
6
Department of Conservation, Private bag 3072, Hamilton 3240, New Zealand
7
Forest & Bird, PO Box 631, Wellington 6011, New Zealand
8
Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu, Te Whare o Te Waipounamu, 15 Show Pl, Addington, Christchurch 8024,
New Zealand
9
Department of Conservation, PO Box 349, Rangiora 7440, New Zealand
Abstract
Over the past 25 years, there have been significant successes in kiwi (Apteryx spp.) conservation,
particularly in preventing the extinction of the most critically endangered kiwi species. However,
the majority of kiwi (over 70%) remain in unmanaged populations and therefore, nationally,
kiwi continue to decline. The knowledge and tools now exist to turn this decrease into an
increase. Where they are managed, kiwi populations are growing at rates of 2% per annum or
higher. The next 10 years will see kiwi conservation enter a new phase of growth for all kiwi
species across the country. In the past, the recovery of some kiwi species was reliant on ex
situ (captive) management techniques and was focused on the rarest kiwi. To reach the scale
necessary to increase all kiwi species, however, requires an increase in the use and extent of in
situ management of kiwi in the wild. This is particularly true for South Island species and will
continue in the North Island. The long-term goal of this fourth Kiwi Recovery Plan 2018–2028
is: To reach 100 000 kiwi by 2030 by growing all kiwi species by at least 2% per year, restoring
their former distribution and maintaining their genetic diversity. This plan has 15 goals
covering management, engaging people, research and sustainability. An implementation section
sets out issues, objectives and actions to reach these goals. Appendices outline for all actions
a timeline, relevant kiwi species and how they link to the Department of Conservation’s wider
goals. This plan will be reviewed in 5 years in 2023.
Keywords: kiwi, Apteryx, landscape-scale predator control, threatened species recovery, tangata
whenua, kaitiaki, community, genetic management, threat of dogs, predation
© Copyright November 2018, Department of Conservation. This report may be cited as:
Germano, J.; Barlow, S.; Castro, I.; Colbourne, R.; Cox, M.; Gillies, C.; Hackwell, K.; Harawira, J.; Impey, M.; Reuben, A.;
Robertson, H.; Scrimgeour, J.; Sporle, W.; Yong., S. 2018: Kiwi Recovery Plan 2018–2028 / Mahere Whakaora Kiwi
2018–2028. Threatened Species Recovery Plan 64. Department of Conservation, Wellington. 60 p.
Threatened Species Recovery Plan 64
3
Mahere Whakaora Kiwi 2018–2028
Jennifer Germano1, Suzy Barlow2, Isabel Castro3, Rogan Colbourne4, Morgan Cox5,
Craig Gillies6, Kevin Hackwell7, Joe Harawira4, Michelle Impey5, Arapata Reuben8,
Hugh Robertson4, Jess Scrimgeour4, Wendy Sporle5 and Sandy Yong9
1
Department of Conservation, Private Bag 5, Nelson, New Zealand
2
Zoo and Aquarium Association, PO Box 20, Mosman NSW 2088, Australia
3
Wildlife and Ecology Group, College of Agriculture and Environment, Massey University,
Private Bag 11222, Palmerston North 4410, New Zealand
4
Department of Conservation, PO Box 10420, Wellington 6143, New Zealand
5
Kiwis for kiwi, Private Bag 68908, Newton, Auckland 1145, New Zealand
6
Department of Conservation, Private bag 3072, Hamilton 3240, New Zealand
7
Forest & Bird, PO Box 631, Wellington 6011, New Zealand
8
Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu, Te Whare o Te Waipounamu, 15 Show Pl, Addington, Christchurch 8024,
New Zealand
9
Department of Conservation, PO Box 349, Rangiora 7440, New Zealand
Tuhinga whakarāpopoto
Nō roto i te 25 tau kua pahure ake, kua hua mai ētahi angitū hira i te tiakitanga kiwi (ngā tini
momo Apteryx), inarā te ārai i te korehāhā o ngā momo kiwi mōrearea taumaha rawa. Heoi
anō, kei te noho kore mahi whakahaere tonu te nuinga o ngā kiwi (neke ake i te 70%) nō reira
kei te heke haere ā-motu tonu te kiwi. Kei konei ināianei te mātauranga, me ngā taputapu hei
hurikōaro i taua hekenga iho ki te pikinga ake. Kei ngā wāhi whakahaere, kei te tipu ngā kiwi
mā te 2% ia tau neke atu rānei. Hei roto i te 10 tau kei te heke mai ka kuhu atu te tiakitanga kiwi
ki tētahi wā hou mō te tipu haere o ngā momo kiwi katoa puta noa i te motu. I ngā wā o mua, i
whirinaki te whakaoranga o ētahi momo kiwi ki ngā tikanga whakahaere (rarau) ki wāhi kē, ā i
aro atu taua mahi ki ngā kiwi ongeonge rawa. Heoi anō, kia eke atu ki te whānuitanga e piki ai
te katoa o ngā momo kiwi, me mātua whakarahi, whakawhānui hoki te whakamahi i ngā tikanga
whakahaere kiwi ki te wao. E hāngai pū ana tēnei ki ngā momo o Te Wai Pounamu, ā ka hono
tonu atu ki Te Ika a Māui. Ko te whāinga pae tawhiti o tēnei te tuawhā o ngā Mahere Whakaora
Kiwi 2018–2028 ko: Te tae atu kia 100 000 ngā kiwi hei te tau 2030 mā te whakatipu i ngā momo
kiwi katoa mā te 2% ia tau neke atu rānei, te haumanu i te nuku o ō rātou nōhanga o mua, me
te pupuru i ō rātou rerenga ā-ira. E 15 ngā whāinga o tēnei mahere e pā ana ki te whakahaere,
te tūhono i te tangata, te rangahau me te whakauka. Kei te whakatakotoria ki tētahi wāhanga
whakatinanatanga ngā take, ngā tūmanako me ngā mahi kia tae rawa atu ki aua whāinga. Mō
tēnā, mō tēnā o ngā mahi kei te whakaaturia e ngā āpitihanga tētahi wātaka, ngā momo kiwi
whaitake, me te hononga o aua mahi ki ngā whāinga whānui o Te Papa Atawhai. Ka arotakengia
tēnei mahere hei te 5 tau, hei 2023.
Ngā kupu matua: kiwi, Apteryx, tāmi konihi ki ngā wāhi rahi, tangata whenua, kaitiaki, hapori,
whakahaere ira, whakatuma o te kurī, mate konihi
© Copyright November 2018, Department of Conservation. This report may be cited as:
Germano, J.; Barlow, S.; Castro, I.; Colbourne, R.; Cox, M.; Gillies, C.; Hackwell, K.; Harawira, J.; Impey, M.; Reuben, A.;
Robertson, H.; Scrimgeour, J.; Sporle, W.; Yong., S. 2018: Kiwi Recovery Plan 2018–2028 / Mahere Whakaora Kiwi
2018–2028. Threatened Species Recovery Plan 64. Department of Conservation, Wellington. 60 p.
4
Germano et al. — Kiwi Recovery Plan 2018–2028
1. Introduction
In both scale and breadth, kiwi (Apteryx spp.) recovery is one of the most complex and successful
conservation partnerships in Aotearoa/New Zealand. The goal of increasing the numbers of
kiwi in Aotearoa stretches far beyond the mandate and ability of any one agency or group. Work
stretches from the top of Northland/Te Tai Tokerau to Stewart Island/Rakiura in the south –
with active participation of hundreds of partners ranging from the Department of Conservation
(DOC) and tangata whenua to community groups and captive facilities, philanthropists, private
landowners and researchers.
The Kiwi Recovery Plan is the overarching document providing strategic direction for recovery of
all kiwi species. Its development has promoted discussion amongst numerous groups, agencies
and experts on the current state of kiwi populations and the best ways to grow them. It helps
guide the work and allocate resources for DOC, Kiwis for kiwi and many other groups and people
involved in kiwi recovery. Furthermore, the Plan will continue to encourage a collaborative effort,
focusing on goals, objectives and actions that would be unachievable for any one group on its own.
2. Plan details
2.1
Term and review date
Term of the plan: 10 years from 2018 to 2028
Review date: 2023
2.2
Development process
Kiwi recovery presently involves DOC and well over a hundred Treaty Partners, other partners
and active stakeholders. It was necessary that this updated recovery plan be written in a way
that was relevant and accessible to this diverse audience. To be inclusive and make use of the
required and widely-spread expertise, broad engagement was led by the Kiwi Recovery Group.
This allowed the incorporation of expertise from over 50 kiwi biologists, on-the-ground kiwi
recovery practitioners, tangata whenua, DOC staff, community leaders, academics, managers and
operators of captive facilities to contribute their expertise to the plan.
Tangata whenua advisors were included as part of the authorship team. A whānau/hapū/iwi
working group was established and periodically reviewed the draft plan during its development.
Feedback was sought at the 2016 Whānau, Hapū and Iwi in Conservation Hui at Tūteao Marae in
the Bay of Plenty. This focused on the general direction and goals of kiwi recovery as well as the
issues and needs facing tangata whenua in relation to kiwi recovery. A glossary of Māori words
and phrases can be found in Appendix 1.
Wider consultation included not only tangata whenua but also Conservation Boards, Zoo
Aquarium Association (ZAA), Forest & Bird, Kiwis for kiwi, groups involved with kiwi in the
regions (regional councils, community groups, etc.) and a variety of DOC staff at different levels,
roles and business groups.
Several strategic documents are associated with and have an impact on kiwi conservation and
the recovery plan. Summaries of these can be found in Appendix 2.
Threatened Species Recovery Plan 64
5
2.3
How the Recovery Plan fits with other kiwi documents
The Kiwi Recovery Plan (Fig. 1) is the overarching kiwi management document, providing
strategic direction for all kiwi species and recovery participants. It helps to guide the work and
allocate resources for DOC, Kiwis for kiwi and many other partners involved in kiwi recovery.
Beneath the Kiwi Recovery Plan are more prescriptive documents that lay out in greater detail
the priorities, actions and requirements for different kiwi taxa (e.g. species/taxon plans) and for
different national sectors (e.g. DOC Save Our Iconic Kiwi implementation plan, Kiwis for kiwi
investment strategy and the captive management plan). There are also technical manuals and
guidance documents (e.g. Kiwi Best Practice Manual, Kiwi Husbandry Manual) that will inform
how management actions should take place.
Links to strategic and best practice documents for kiwi can be found at:
https://www.kiwisforkiwi.org/resources/strategic-plans-documents/
Kiwi Recovery Plan
Species and
taxon plans
National
implementation
plans
(DOC Save Our Iconic
Kiwi Implementation
Plan, Kiwis for Kiwi
Investment Strategy,
Captive Management
Plan)
Technical
manuals and
guidance
(Kiwi Best Practice
Manual, Kiwi
Husbandry Manual)
Figure 1. Conceptual diagram showing how the numerous kiwi strategic and technical documents fit together.
6
Germano et al. — Kiwi Recovery Plan 2018–2028
3. Context
3.1
Overview of species
3.1.1
Kiwi whakapapa
Whakapapa is about connectivity. In the Māori world view, people are connected to all
things within the natural world. Kiwi are a taonga of the natural world and therefore, through
whakapapa, we are related. This connectivity determines the role of Māori and stakeholders in
kaitiakitanga (guardianship and protection). Central to kaitiakitanga is the concept of mauri
(the life principle or vital essence of a being or entity) which is ever present within the realms of
the natural world. When there is a negative change in the mauri of an ecosystem, that mauri is
weakened and not strong. Protection of kiwi goes beyond a focus on a single species but involves
the strengthening of mauri.
When Māori came to Aotearoa, kiwi were among the many bird species present. The kiwi
whakapapa is explained and understood in different ways and can be specific to different iwi.
The classification of kiwi began when different iwi settled or travelled through the regions. For
example, a species that is classified under a common or scientific name may have two or three
Māori names (Table 1). Very little is documented on the mātauranga that whānau, hapū and iwi
hold for the kiwi, but several names are known.
Ta b l e 1 . C o m m o n , s c i e n t i f i c a n d M ā o r i n a m e s o f t h e f i v e s p e c i e s o f k i w i .
S u b s p e c i e s , t a x a a n d e v o l u t i o n a r i l y s i g n i f i c a n t u n i t s a re l i s t e d b e l o w e a c h
species. See Appendix 3 for definitions of taxonomic and other technical
terms.
COMMON NAME
SCIENTIFIC NAME
INGOA MĀORI
Little spotted kiwi
Apteryx owenii
Kiwi pukupuku, kukupapata iti
Great spotted kiwi
Apteryx haastii
Roroa, roa
Apteryx mantelli
Kiwi, kiwi a whenua toaroa
Northwest Nelson
Westport
Paparoa Range
Arthur’s Pass
Brown kiwi
Northland
Coromandel
Western
Eastern
Rowi
Apteryx rowi
Rowi
Tokoeka
Apteryx australis
Tokoeka, tokoweka, roa
Haast
North Fiordland
South Fiordland
Rakiura
3.1.2
A. australis lawryii
Species ecology and biology
For information about kiwi biology, natural history and differences among species, see The Field
Guide to the Birds of New Zealand.1 – see reference list at end of report
Threatened Species Recovery Plan 64
7
3.1.3
Past and present kiwi distribution
At present there are approximately 70 000 kiwi in New Zealand, split among 5 species and
14 taxa and evolutionarily significant units (Table 1; see Appendix 3 for definitions of technical
terminology). Many of these taxa are expected to be formally elevated to separate species or
subspecies within the term of this plan.
Archaeological remains, historical records and genetic data show that all species of kiwi were
once more widespread than they are today (Fig. 2). The present distribution of kiwi is a mix of
largely unchanged natural distributions (e.g. Rakiura tokoeka), remnant populations, and newly
translocated populations on islands, mainland islands or fenced sanctuaries, some of which were
re-establishing populations following local extirpation (Fig. 3).
Figure 2. Estimated distribution of the five kiwi species in New Zealand before human contact (c. 1300 AD).
8
Germano et al. — Kiwi Recovery Plan 2018–2028
Figure 3. Distribution of the five extant kiwi species in New Zealand in March 2017.
Threatened Species Recovery Plan 64
9
3.1.4
Population estimates and species recovery phases
Estimates for kiwi populations in 20082 and 2018 are presented in Table 2, along with two
projections for the next 15 years – one at the 2015 level and spread of management and the other
with additional management through funds from Treasury3 (Save Our Iconic Kiwi (SOIK)). With
improvements in predator control and additional synergies, growth and collaborative work (e.g.
Battle for our Birds, OSPRI and Predator Free New Zealand), kiwi numbers may reach to or above
100 000 by 2030 (growth rate of 2% or more per annum and populations of the four rarest taxa
increasing). However, substantial additional effort is required to reverse the overall potential
decline of 2% per annum that is likely without this additional management.
In recovery planning for threatened species, DOC has adopted a model that identifies four
phases of recovery actions: research to identify causes and key agents of decline; security from
extinction; recovery; and maintenance4. The national and international threat classifications as
well as the current phase of recovery for kiwi species and taxa are listed in Table 3.
3.1.5
Agents of decline and threats
Juvenile recruitment
Due to predation by stoats and to a lesser extent feral cats, very few kiwi chicks survive to
become reproductive adults. This is the primary cause of decline for most kiwi populations.
Without pest control, chick survival is about 6%6, 7, whereas in a managed population, chick
survival can be as high as 60%7–9. The management of stoats alone can be sufficient to turn
population trajectories around in many areas9.
Ta b l e 2 . P o p u l a t i o n t re n d e s t i m a t e s f o r k i w i s h o w i n g t h e p ro g re s s m a d e s i n c e t h e s t a r t o f t h e
2 0 0 8 – 2 0 1 8 R e c o v e r y p l a n , a n d p ro j e c t i o n s b a s e d o n t h e a s s u m p t i o n s i n I n n e s e t a l . 2 0 1 5 3 .
TAXON
ACTUAL
ESTIMATE b
PROJECTED
ESTIMATE c
NEW
PROJECTION d
2008
2018
2030
2030
Little spotted kiwi
1500
1900
2750
2750
Kapiti Island
1200
1200
1200
1200
300
700
1550
1550
Great spotted kiwi
16 000
14 000
11 600
19 900
Brown kiwi
Other sites
25 000
25 100
32 100
35 400
Northland
8000
8600
12 300
12 300
Coromandel
1000
1900
3400
3400
Eastern
8000
7000
7300
9600
Western
8000
7600
9100
10 100
Rowi
300
600
900
900
29 800
24 850
21 550
35 050
300
450
750
750
N. Fiordland
10 000
8200
7300
11 400
S. Fiordland
4500
3900
3500
5400
Rakiura
15 000
12 300
10 000
17 500
Total
72 600
66 450
68 900
94 000
Tokoeka
Haast
10
ACTUAL
ESTIMATE a
a
Based on the 2008–2018 Kiwi Recovery Plan2.
b
Based on estimates in Innes et al. 20153 projected to 2018.
c
Based on estimates in Innes et al. 20153 projected to 2030 at existing levels of management.
d
Based on estimates in Innes et al. 20153 projected to 2030 with increased management aimed at producing growth rates of 2% or
greater for each taxon.
Germano et al. — Kiwi Recovery Plan 2018–2028
Ta b l e 3 .
T h re a t c l a s s i f i c a t i o n o f k i w i a n d t h e i r p h a s e o f re c o v e r y.
TAXON
NEW ZEALAND
THREAT STATUS 5
PHASE OF
SPECIES RECOVERY
Little spotted kiwi
At Risk – Recovering
Recovery
Great spotted kiwi
Nationally Vulnerable
Research
At Risk – Declining
Recovery
Nationally Vulnerable
Recovery
Brown kiwi
Rowi
Tokoeka
Haast
Nationally Critical
Recovery
Nationally Vulnerable
Research
South Fiordland
Nationally Endangered
Research
Rakiura
Nationally Endangered
Research
North Fiordland
The threat of dogs
The impact of dogs (Canis familiaris) is an increasing issue for kiwi, especially for populations
located near people. All dogs, including pets, can kill adult kiwi. In Northland, it has been shown
that the average lifespan of an adult brown kiwi is only 13–14 years rather than the 30–40 years
measured in other brown kiwi populations. This is mainly due to predation by dogs. As kiwi are
long-lived species with low reproductive rates, the loss of adults from populations is far more
damaging than the loss of juvenile kiwi (from stoat predation). Where dogs are an issue, they
can quickly undo years of kiwi conservation effort. The previous recovery plan2 recognised this;
however, limited progress has been made to reduce the impact of dogs on kiwi. If dog predation
is reduced, it can result in substantial increases in kiwi populations (Fig. 4). The addition of
juveniles through ONE (Operation Nest Egg) cannot make up for ongoing losses of adult kiwi in
a population and cannot on its own lead to increases in declining populations.
6000
5000
4000
Adults
Trapping
andtrapping
dogs
Predator
and dog control
3000
Predator trapping and ONE
(50 released annually)
Trapping and ONE (50 released annually)
Trapping
Predator trapping
2000
ONE
(50(50
released
annually)
ONE
released
annually)
Unmanaged
Unmanaged
1000
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22
Year
Figure 4. Estimated trajectories for kiwi populations under heavy pressure from dogs and populations with various
combinations of trapping, Operation Nest Egg (ONE) and dog control. Though the parameters for these estimates were
based on data from Northland kiwi populations7,9, the inferences apply to any kiwi population where dogs present a threat.
Effective dog control management means the impact of dogs is reduced to levels where adult kiwi survival is similar to that
currently seen for brown kiwi populations outside Northland9
Threatened Species Recovery Plan 64
11
Dealing with ferrets
Predation of kiwi by ferrets (Mustela furo) is an increasing issue, especially for populations that
live in drier, more rabbit-prone areas of New Zealand, but their impacts have also been noted in
Northland, Hunua Ranges and Tongariro Forest. Ferrets are capable of killing adult kiwi and, as
with dog predation, the loss of adults from a population is far more damaging than the loss of
juveniles. This cannot be offset by chick survival through ONE or predator control for stoats.
Although ferrets are normally associated with wetlands and rabbit-prone pasture, they can
penetrate well into forests and cause the same sort of rapid population-level damage as dogs.
Where ferrets are a potential threat to kiwi, predator trapping programmes should specifically
target these pests, using appropriately lured DOC250 traps.
Genetic management
Genetic diversity is critical to the capacity of species to adapt in changing and challenging
environments. It is also a key factor influencing the extinction risk for species and their
constituent populations. Some basic genetic principles underlie the adaptation and genetic
diversity seen in kiwi today. Because kiwi are flightless and have limited powers of dispersal,
they typically show genetic isolation by distance10, 11 (see Appendix 4 for an explanation of
isolation by distance). Furthermore, kiwi dispersal is extremely sensitive to barriers (e.g. rivers,
ocean, mountains, glaciers), with the number of barriers often related to the distance between
populations (i.e. longer distances are more likely to contain more barriers), further increasing the
impact of isolation by distance12.
In some populations, serious genetic issues (e.g. inbreeding) have been identified that threaten
the health of both individual kiwi and of populations at a site. Some of these issues are the legacy
of former management actions. However, we now have the genetic knowledge and management
tools to ensure that we are providing current populations the highest chance of long-term success.
3.2
Kiwi conservation in the journey to a predator-free
New Zealand
Introduced mammalian predators (such as possums, stoats and rats) have had huge impacts on
kiwi and other indigenous species in Aotearoa/New Zealand. The scale of predator eradication
operations has grown at an exponential rate since New Zealand pioneered a range of predator
control technologies in the early 1960s (Fig. 5), with the significant growth of pest control
knowledge and tools over the past decade in particular making this possible. It is predicted that
this exponential trend will continue, and it is the basis of the Predator Free New Zealand 2050
(PF2050) project which commenced in 2016 (https://predatorfreenz.org/about-us/pf-2050/).
PF2050 has substantial beneficial implications for increasing kiwi populations throughout
New Zealand, including $100 million in conservation work in Taranaki, Waiheke, Hawkes Bay,
Wellington and Dunedin. DOC is currently investing an additional $3 million per year in research
and development of new tools to achieve this predator free goal, which will also provide new tools
and more cost effective management options for kiwi recovery.
This work has considerable nationwide support. Successive New Zealand Governments have
made significant resourcing commitments to the 2% per year increase in kiwi numbers (e.g. the
Save Our Iconic Kiwi funding for management in Budet 2015 and the MBIE-funded ‘Kiwi Rescue’
research programme of Manaaki Whenua Landcare Research). Additionally, Budget 2018 added
$20 million per annum to DOC’s baseline budget to sustain landscape-scale predator control for
over 2 million ha of land. There is also an ever-increasing number of regional initiatives, such as
Kiwi Coast, Project Taranaki Mounga, and whānau, hapū, iwi and community projects that will
help bring the ultimate objective of a New Zealand that is free of key introduced predators within
reach during the next 50 years. The ability to move towards such an inspirational and gamechanging phase will be revolutionary for New Zealand conservation.
12
Germano et al. — Kiwi Recovery Plan 2018–2028
Area (ha) of largest site with
predators eradicated
10,000,000
1,000,000
Actual
Predicted
100,000
10,000
1,000
100
10
1
1960s 1970s 1980s 1990s 2000s 2010s 2020s 2030s
Figure 5. The area (ha) of the largest site where predators have been eradicated over eight decades.
The first five decades are based on actual data while the last three decades are predicted estimates of
eradication areas that will be feasible.
3.3
Past management and the species response
The national Kiwi Recovery Programme has successfully evolved since its inception over 25 years
ago. The necessary strategy, laid out in a series of recovery plans2, 13, 14, has guided collaborations
across multiple agencies and organisations, allowing the programme to build upon gains in both
knowledge and management techniques.
In 1991, DOC published the first Kiwi Recovery Plan13, and started to implement the Kiwi
Recovery Programme in conjunction with the Bank of New Zealand and the Royal Forest and Bird
Protection Society.
The initial phase of kiwi recovery work (guided by the first Kiwi Recovery Plan 1991–1996)
focused on identification of the taxonomic and numerical status of the species, their
distributions, the agents causing their decline and the current threats to each taxon. This work
identified predation, particularly by stoats, ferrets and dogs, as the key agent of decline for kiwi.
More accurate estimates of kiwi distribution and population size and trends were then made for
each species; genetic, behavioural and ecological differences between kiwi were recognised; and
ONE was developed to bypass predation of young chicks. Further details of achievements in the
1991–1996 period are provided in Appendix 1 of the second Kiwi Recovery Plan 1996–200614.
The second phase of recovery (1996–2008), guided by the second Kiwi Recovery Plan 1996–
200614, focused on refining tools such as ONE and the management of kiwi populations
via landscape-scale stoat trapping or aerial application of 1080. Five kiwi sanctuaries were
established (at Whangarei, Moehau, Tongariro, Ōkarito and Haast) as part of the New Zealand
Biodiversity Strategy, to protect the most threatened kiwi taxa (rowi and Haast tokoeka) and
three populations of brown kiwi. Little spotted kiwi were returned to the mainland at Zealandia in
Wellington. During its term, there was a strong growth in the number and scale of community-led
projects for kiwi recovery. The BNZ Save the Kiwi Trust was established as a formal partnership
between BNZ, Forest & Bird and DOC. Further details of achievements during this period (1996–
2008) are provided in Appendix 1 of the third Kiwi Recovery Plan 2008–20182.
The third phase of kiwi recovery (2008–2018), guided by the third Kiwi Recovery Plan 2008–20182,
focused on expanding management efforts over a greater area and empowering communities
to manage their local kiwi populations. The emphasis has been on managing kiwi as part of
healthy functioning ecosystems, where kiwi management is expected to benefit other native
flora and fauna as well. In some cases, the focus has also been on kiwi in isolation as part of the
ONE programmes, which are used to rapidly build populations of the rarest taxa or to engage
Threatened Species Recovery Plan 64
13
communities or through kōhanga kiwi, where kiwi are established at zero- or low-density
predator sites (islands or behind fences) and offspring harvested to create new populations or
to supplement existing wild populations. This period has seen a proliferation of community-led
projects, especially in the North Island, and stronger security of the three rarest taxa (rowi, Haast
tokoeka and little spotted kiwi) through ONE programmes, and the establishment of kōhanga
kiwi and/or new secure populations. Further details of progress during this period (2008–2018)
can be seen in the Kiwi Recovery Plan Midterm Review15.
3.4
Current state of management
Management of kiwi over the past 25 years has halted or reversed the decline of the three rarest
kiwi (little spotted kiwi, rowi and Haast tokoeka). However, the five more numerous kiwi taxa
(brown kiwi, great spotted kiwi, northern Fiordland tokoeka, southern Fiordland tokoeka and
Rakiura tokoeka) are still declining because the majority of their populations are not receiving
active conservation management. The current rate of decline of unmanaged populations of kiwi
is close to 2% at most sites, although in Northland the true rate is probably closer to 3% because
dogs kill many adult kiwi7.
As of 2015, the majority of kiwi (76%) received no management3. Where a large proportion of a
species or evolutionarily significant unit is managed – by DOC, community or tangata whenua –
the results are significant and growth rates are high (e.g. rowi and Coromandel brown kiwi;
Fig. 6). Where the vast majority of birds are unmanaged, there are significant decline rates
(e.g. great spotted kiwi; Fig. 6).
+6%
Estimated
current
growth
raterate
Estimated
current
growth
Coromandel
Rowi
+4%
Haast
Northland
Little spotted
+2%
Western
Eastern
0
Fiordland
-2%
Great spotted
Rakiura
-4%
0
20
40
60
80
100
% birds under management
Birds under management (%)
Figure 6. Relationship between the proportion of the kiwi population that is managed
and the estimated rates of annual population increase or decrease for ten types of kiwi
(adapted from Innes et al. 20153 and populations of the four rarest kiwi taxa are increasing.
However, substantial additional effort is required to reverse the overall potential decline of
2% per annum (without management). Estimates are based on the information available;
they do not represent exact figures and do carry some level of uncertainties. Kiwi species/
taxa above the zero line are increasing and below the 0% growth line are decreasing.
14
Germano et al. — Kiwi Recovery Plan 2018–2028
3.5
A new phase of conservation: increasing the scale of in situ
management
This Recovery Plan marks a new phase of kiwi recovery. For the first time, there is a focus and
plan to increase all kiwi species by at least 2% per year. In particular, this will require reversing
the decline in South Island species, which are spread across vast areas of tough terrain where the
reduction of predators is difficult. The achievement of these goals at a national level will require a
focus on in situ management involving pest control at ever increasing scales.
This work has already started. In Northland, Taranaki and Coromandel, whānau/hapū/iwi and
community groups have begun to create connections between the land areas they manage to
create large corridors of continuous, protected habitat. DOC is extending the boundaries of
predator-managed sites, showing that kiwi numbers can increase in areas of over 10 000 ha when
they are managed using aerial toxins or, in a few situations, trapping. Managing larger areas
(landscapes) offers huge benefits to kiwi and other wildlife by providing longer respite from
predators before they reinvade and extended safe habitat for dispersing juveniles.
To grow all kiwi species by 2% each year, it will still be necessary to actively manage kiwi species
with extremely small populations (rowi, Haast tokoeka) and significant genetic challenges (little
spotted kiwi). The gains made by North Island brown kiwi will also need to be maintained and
grown. The greatest new challenge however, will be to control predators at a landscape scale
(100 000s of hectares) to reverse the decline of great spotted kiwi and tokoeka on the South
Island.
Threatened Species Recovery Plan 64
15
4. Ngā mātāpono me ngā whāinga – Principles
and goals
4.1
Ngā mātāpono – Recovery principles for kiwi
The following guiding principles represent a broad overarching philosophy and are essential
for guiding successful kiwi recovery irrespective of who is doing the work or what work is being
carried out. Organisations and kiwi practitioners should integrate these principles into their work
and decision-making.
Kāore he korehāhā – No extinction
The highest priority for recovery management is to ensure that all kiwi species survive.
Whakaoranga kaha – Strong recovery
Survival alone is not enough; all kiwi species will grow by at least 2% per annum.
Rerenga ā-ira – Genetic diversity
The genetic diversity and distribution of each species or subspecies will be maintained or
enhanced as much as is feasible.
Whakanui ake i ngā hua pūnaha hauropi – Maximisation of ecosystem benefits
Kiwi recovery will, wherever possible, focus on gaining maximum benefits for the wider
ecosystem.
Whakahaere ki ngā nohoanga tūturu – In situ management
Kiwi will be managed within their natural range or, if outside this range, with the overall aim of
restoring them to their natural range in the wild.
Oranga kararehe – Animal welfare
The welfare of the birds will be a primary consideration in all aspects of kiwi recovery.
Whanaungatanga – Relationships
The new and existing relationships between DOC, tangata whenua, organisations, communities
and the public will continue to be respected and nurtured as we work together in the recovery of
kiwi for present and future generations.
Mātauranga & tohungatanga – Knowledge & expertise
Knowledge and ideas will be pursued that will strengthen and grow our kiwi populations and all
those involved with their recovery. This puna mātauranga or pool of knowledge will be shared
amongst kiwi practitioners for the betterment of all kiwi and people involved.
Rangatiratanga – Leadership
A high degree of personal and organisational integrity, professionalism, and ethical behaviour
will be maintained in all actions and decisions involving the protection of kiwi.
Kaitiakitanga – Guardianship
Collectively, work will be undertaken to protect the environment, knowledge and resources
required to reverse the decline of kiwi populations. If kiwi and their ecosystems are healthy, all
New Zealanders benefit.
16
Germano et al. — Kiwi Recovery Plan 2018–2028
4.2
Long-term recovery goal
To reach 100 000 kiwi by 2030 through:
•• Growing all kiwi species by at least 2% per year,
•• Restoring their former distribution and
•• Maintaining their genetic diversity.
Use of the term ‘species’ in both the long-term and recovery-plan-period goals in this document
refers to all recognised kiwi species, subspecies and evolutionarily significant units.
Genetic diversity is the sum of genetic information contained in the genes of all individuals of
a particular species. Populations with high levels of genetic diversity are better able to adapt
to changes in habitat and climate or new diseases. Strategies must be put in place to minimise
genetic loss and to maintain kiwi genetic diversity.
4.3
Recovery-plan-period goals
4.3.1
Management
Goal 1.1: To achieve at least a 2% increase per annum for each kiwi species.
Goal 1.2: To increase the number of viable populations of rowi and Haast tokoeka in the wild
within the former ranges of these species.
Goal 1.3: To expand the current distribution of brown kiwi, great spotted kiwi and little spotted
kiwi into areas of their former range.
Goal 1.4: To maintain current levels of genetic diversity at a species level.
Goal 1.5: To measure population growth rates for all kiwi species.
Goal 1.6: To reduce the number of kiwi killed by dogs and ferrets.
4.3.2
Research and innovation
Goal 2.1: To increase mātauranga and knowledge of the biology, population ecology and
response to management of kiwi, especially for the South Island species.
Goal 2.2: To develop more cost-efficient and effective survey and monitoring tools for both kiwi
and the species that threaten them, including systems to manage the data collected.
Goal 2.3: To improve and develop tools for sustainable landscape-scale and small-scale pest
management.
Goal 2.4: To communicate research and development findings for the benefit of the kiwi
conservation community.
4.3.3
Engaging people with kiwi and their recovery
Goal 3.1: To support tangata whenua to engage in meaningful kaitiakitanga of their kiwi.
Goal 3.2: To maximise the effectiveness and impact of community-, whānau-, hapū- and iwi-led
projects to meet the management goals for kiwi recovery.
Goal 3.3: To strategically guide the establishment of new kiwi projects to maximise the
connectivity between projects and the scale of protected habitat, and to target areas and species
in need.
Goal 3.4: To increase New Zealanders’ connections with kiwi and the ecosystems they inhabit,
thereby increasing their willingness to become kaitiaki of our kiwi and the wider environment.
4.3.4
Growing and sustaining the kiwi conservation effort
Goal 4.1: To ensure the long-term sustainability of kiwi conservation efforts.
Threatened Species Recovery Plan 64
17
5. Implementation
This section provides direction for the term of this plan for DOC, whānau/hapū/iwi, community
groups and other managers and practitioners involved in kiwi recovery by identifying:
•• What should happen
•• Who should do it
•• Where it should happen
•• When it should happen
This plan is grouped into four themes based on achieving the recovery plan period goals:
•• Management
•• Research and innovation
•• Engaging people with kiwi and their recovery
•• Growing and sustaining the kiwi conservation effort
Under each theme are topics with background, issues, objectives and actions to resolve the
issues. Some actions are at a strategic (less-specific) level, with the specifics that need to be
developed included in other documents (e.g. species or regional plans). The relevance of all
actions to each of the kiwi species can be found in Appendix 5.
All actions have been prioritised and scheduled (see Appendix 6) and their relevance to DOC’s
Intermediate Outcome Objectives and Stretch Goals have been identified (see Appendix 7).
Actions are prioritised to identify those necessary to achieve the recovery of all kiwi species
nationally. Priorities are marked as follows:
•• Essential: Necessary to achieve the goals for kiwi recovery over the term of this plan.
Highest risk for kiwi recovery if not carried out within the timeframe and/or at the
frequency specified.
•• High: Necessary to achieve long-term goals. To be progressed and ideally completed
within the term of this plan, with moderate risk if not carried out within the timeframe and/
or at the frequency specified.
•• Medium: Necessary to achieve long-term goals. To be progressed within the term of this
plan, but with least risk if not completed within the timeframe and/or at the frequency
specified.
No actions are extras. A medium priority does not mean that there are no reasons to complete the
action. Rather, priorities are given to assist with choice if required.
Actions are predominantly scheduled until 2023, except those that are relevant throughout the
recovery plan period. This reflects the increasing uncertainty in assigning timeframes beyond
5 years and the need to review progress for all actions by 2023.
18
Germano et al. — Kiwi Recovery Plan 2018–2028
Defining accountability in a conservation partnership
To increase kiwi numbers nationally requires the efforts and cooperation of many –
government agencies, whānau/hapū/iwi, community groups, organisations and individuals.
Part of this conservation partnership is the recognition that all partners have a sense of
accountability and responsibility to the kiwi we are trying to protect, to each other, to
taxpayers and funders and, for some, to the government. This Recovery Plan list groups
which are accountable for completing each action to reach the national goals.
While accountability exists for all kiwi recovery partners, the type of accountability differs.
As a government department resourced by New Zealand taxpayers, DOC holds statutory
and legal accountability to protect and manage kiwi under Section 6a of the Conservation
Act 1987 and the Wildlife Act 1953. Section 4 of the Conservation Act 1987 and the Treaty
of Waitangi also require DOC to apply Treaty principles and meet the Crown’s obligations
to Māori in its work. DOC Operational Managers at each location will endeavour to meet
objectives; however, they will need to weigh up competing priorities according to DOC’s
annual business planning process.
The accountability of other partners – whānau/hapū/iwi, organisations and groups – will
differ according to resources and ability. By being a partner in kiwi conservation, these
groups take ownership and responsibility for their work and responsibility for kiwi. In most
instances, there is no legal obligation. Where there is capability and capacity, mana whenua
should be encouraged to lead/engage in this work and be supported to fulfil their role as
kaitiaki. They have been listed in some action accountabilities, but there will be variability in
their ability to carry out these actions depending on the whānau, hapū or iwi involved. This
understanding of accountability applies to community groups as well. Implementation of
actions by non-governmental groups may be impacted by the availability of funding.
5.1
Management
5.1.1
Topic 1 – Pest control
In situ management of kiwi through pest control over large areas (landscapes) is the most
effective and cost-efficient way to meet long-term kiwi recovery goals. Effective pest control
provides benefits that extend beyond protecting kiwi. It can improve the health and function
of ecosystems and allow the recovery of other species. Successful ground-based pest control
technologies exist to protect kiwi (e.g. trapping, toxins); however, they typically have high
associated labour costs. This limits their applicability, as management over very large areas is
needed to halt the decline of kiwi. New ground-based stoat control technologies have been tested
and developed. These may have potential to protect kiwi over larger scales than current groundbased technologies, with reduced costs and effort on the ground. Other technologies (e.g. aerial
application of PAPP) may also provide new opportunities for kiwi management. In addition,
aerially applied 1080 has been tested and shown to be effective at landscape scales to protect
brown kiwi from stoat predation in the North Island when carried out at a suitable frequency.
Issues
Issue 1.1 Reliance on a single method for pest control in an area can lead to pests becoming
resistant to toxins or averse to traps, therefore decreasing the effectiveness of that tool (e.g.
untrappable stoats).
Issue 1.2 Some methods/traps will not effectively target all pests (e.g. DOC150 or DOC200
traps for stoat control are not best practice for ferrets).
Issue 1.3 There are too few landscape-scale (> 10 000 ha) pest control operations that benefit
kiwi and even fewer sustained predator control operations at the scale (> 200 000 ha) needed for
effective management of widely-dispersed, low-density species such as great spotted kiwi.
Threatened Species Recovery Plan 64
19
Issue 1.4 There is currently a poor understanding of the link between pest management and
outcomes for South Island kiwi species, as well as wider ecosystem impacts.
Issue 1.5 There is an ongoing risk of pest mammal incursion on predator-free islands and
fenced sanctuaries.
Issue 1.6 Best practice pest control is not being universally applied, especially with respect to
controlling ferrets.
Issue 1.2 New pest control technologies that are developed will need to be fit for purpose for
kiwi management and readily accessible for use.
Issue 1.2 Use of toxins may temporarily reduce people’s access to food resources due to the
required stand-down periods following their application. This can affect local iwi who may rely on
the treated area as a pātaka (storehouse) for food resources.
Objectives
Objective 1.1 To have sufficient kiwi habitat under sustained effective management to grow
kiwi populations, especially for South Island species.
Objective 1.2 To improve the cost-effectiveness and efficacy of a suite of pest management
tools for kiwi over the long term and over large areas.
Objective 1.2 To have strong coordination of effort and geographical connectivity between
national and regional pest control operations for the benefit of kiwi and their ecosystems.
Objective 1.4 To understand the response of all kiwi species to important management
practices.
Objective 1.5 To keep kiwi islands and fenced sanctuaries predator-free.
20
ACTION
ACCOUNTABLE GROUP
(SUPPORTING / AFFECTED GROUPS)
PRIORITY
1.1
Increase continuous or regular landscape-scale pest
control, particularly for South Island kiwi, throughout
the term of this plan.
DOC Operations; (DOC Biodiversity,
mana whenua, community)
Essential
1.2
Measure the response to management of South
Island kiwi to determine optimal landscape-scale
management regimes (same as Action 4.4).
DOC Operations; (DOC Biodiversity,
mana whenua)
Essential
1.3
Control predators of kiwi using a variety of pest control
tools throughout the term of this plan to reduce the
potential of resistance or avoidance to any one method
and to ensure all pests that threaten kiwi populations
are effectively targeted.
All
Essential
1.4
Create and maintain several monitored kiwi sites
suitable for testing and developing new pest control
tools (e.g. kiwi sanctuaries, mainland islands).
DOC Operations; (DOC Biodiversity;
Kiwi Recovery Group, mana whenua)
High
1.5
Actively support pest management activities of groups
and agencies and encourage them to collaborate
to increase the scale and connectivity of protected
habitat.
Kiwis for kiwi, DOC Operations; (DOC
Biodiversity; Kiwi Recovery Group,
mana whenua)
High
1.6
Support community groups, whānau/hapū/iwi and
DOC staff to ensure that best practice pest control is
in place and operating effectively to protect kiwi. This
includes managing ferrets, especially in areas near or
prone to high or fluctuating rabbit populations.
Kiwis for kiwi; DOC Operations;
DOC Biodiversity; (mana whenua)
Essential
1.7
Support pest-free islands and fenced sanctuaries with
kiwi to ensure that they remain pest-free.
DOC Operations, fenced sanctuaries
(mana whenua)
High
1.8
Support the establishment of predator-free Stewart
Island/Rakiura.
DOC Operations (Kiwi Recovery Group,
mana whenua)
High
1.9
Test whether a population of little spotted kiwi can be
established without a predator exclusion fence in a
predator-managed site on the mainland.
DOC Operations (DOC Biodiversity,
Kiwi Recovery Group, mana whenua)
High
Germano et al. — Kiwi Recovery Plan 2018–2028
5.1.2
Topic 2 – Threat of dogs to kiwi
Dogs are the greatest threat to adult kiwi in areas where kiwi habitat overlaps with or is close to
human populations or activity. The impact of dogs will increase as kiwi and human populations grow.
Addressing the impact of dogs is a complex challenge as it is a social issue that requires a
change of culture amongst dog owners. The impact of dogs stretches far beyond kiwi. Dogs
pose a significant threat to over 50 species of native wildlife as well as livestock. Furthermore, in
New Zealand, dog attacks on humans also pose a serious threat, with more than 99 000 attacks
recorded over a 10-year period, more than a third of which involved children, many of whom
sustained facial injuries16. In 2011 alone, the Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC) covered
11 708 claims by dog-attack victims at a cost of NZ$2.4 million17.
Progress has been made in kiwi aversion training for dogs. While it is the best tool currently
available, it may give some dog owners a false sense of security and it also needs to be
complemented with other education tools for dog control and preventing attacks. It also does not
solve the wider issue of dog impacts on other wildlife and stock.
Issues
Issue 2.1
All dogs are a significant potential threat to adult kiwi.
Issue 2.2
The threat of dog attacks extends to other wildlife species, livestock and people.
Issue 2.3 Dog owners have varying degrees of awareness, commitment, capacity and ability to
avoid having their dogs attack kiwi.
Issue 2.4 A broad suite of tools to address the dog issue is needed, but not presently available.
The tools need to be affective for a wide diversity of dogs and owners.
Issue 2.5 Tools for dog control and monitoring dog presence require further refinement to
increase their efficacy.
Issue 2.6
Kiwi avoidance training appears less effective for pet dogs than working dogs.
Issue 2.7 Permitting requirements to take dogs onto public conservation land where kiwi reside
are inconsistent nationally and put kiwi at risk.
Issue 2.8 There has been a lack of preparedness to collect evidence and pursue prosecutions of
owners of dogs that have killed kiwi.
Objectives
Objective 2.1 To engage a range of stakeholders (e.g. ACC, Councils, farmers, hunters) to work
collaboratively to address the threat of dogs.
Objective 2.2 To proactively and reactively use current and new tools to reduce the threats dogs
pose to kiwi.
ACTION
ACCOUNTABLE GROUP
(SUPPORTING / AFFECTED GROUPS)
PRIORITY
2.1
Develop and sustain collaboration between agencies,
groups and councils to progress the issues of
responsible dog ownership and dog control.
DOC Operations; DOC Biodiversity; DOC
Policy and Visitors; DOC Partnerships;
Kiwis for kiwi; Forest & Bird
Essential
2.2
Advocate for the development of interagency capacity
and protocols to monitor for dog presence and
respond to incidents where dogs are killing kiwi.
DOC Operations; (regional and district
authorities; Kiwis for kiwi; Manaaki
Whenua Landcare Research)
High
2.3
Effectively educate, engage and empower people to
reduce the threats of dogs to kiwi.
DOC Operations; Kiwis for kiwi;
DOC Biodiversity
High
2.4
Refine avian avoidance methods and equipment for
dogs.
Kiwis for kiwi; DOC Biodiversity (Manaaki
Whenua Landcare Research)
High
2.5
Research options for minimising the impact of dogs.
DOC Biodiversity (Manaaki Whenua
Landcare Research; Kiwis for kiwi)
Medium
Continued on next page
Threatened Species Recovery Plan 64
21
Topic 2 continued
5.1.3
ACTION
ACCOUNTABLE GROUP
(SUPPORTING / AFFECTED GROUPS)
PRIORITY
2.6
Advocate for consistency with the permitting
requirements to bring dogs into public conservation
land with kiwi.
DOC Operations; (Kiwi Recovery Group;
Forest & Bird)
Medium
2.7
Provide training on how to collect evidence suitable for
prosecution of dog owners where dogs kill kiwi.
DOC Operations
Medium
Topic 3 – Genetic management
Genetic diversity is critical to the capacity of species to adapt in changing and challenging
environments and is an important factor influencing the extinction risk for populations and
species. Genetic principles must be applied when managing kiwi, as these will minimise
inbreeding and gene loss in both wild and captive populations, maximise translocation and ONE
success, and aid the long-term survival of kiwi species. The most important reservoirs of genetic
diversity exist within large natural populations; therefore, these stronghold populations must be
a priority for management to ensure diversity is not lost. In almost all cases, protection of large
natural populations is of higher priority for the achievement of long-term recovery goals than
the use of translocations, kōhanga kiwi and ONE to create new populations which would contain
only a subset of the original diversity.
Genetic analysis of kiwi within a population plays a significant role in resolving taxonomic
uncertainties and defining the species / subspecies / evolutionarily significant units that are
used to direct recovery actions and resources. Genetic tools can also provide information about
individual and population characteristics (e.g. sex, effective breeding population size, gene flow)
and can be used for wildlife forensics (e.g. identification of a dog-killing kiwi).
Little spotted kiwi (Apteryx owenii, LSK) face extreme genetic challenges and critically low
genetic variation because the entire species was reduced to five individuals18. This has resulted
in low viability in at least one translocated population19. Rowi and Haast tokoeka have also been
reduced to small populations; however, sufficient genetic diversity remains for them to recover
with suitable management. Brown kiwi, great spotted kiwi and northern and southern Fiordland
tokoeka retain good levels of genetic diversity. These species / taxa show isolation by distance
(see Appendix 4) and have some sites with inbreeding / poor genetic representation.
Issues
Issue 3.1 A lack of knowledge and understanding of the importance of genetics for long-term
kiwi conservation has resulted in some poor management actions (e.g. the creation of genetic
bottlenecks and hybrid populations).
Issue 3.2 The results of genetic research are not always publicly available, clear or incorporated
into management and education.
Issue 3.3 There is confusion about how to manage hybrid and mixed provenance individuals,
as well as individuals and populations that are suspected to contain deleterious alleles/genes.
Issue 3.4 There is a lack of clear records, consistency or coordination of kiwi genetic samples,
which are spread across various locations and organisations.
Issue 3.5 There is a need to increase research on non-invasive genetic techniques and genomic
approaches for the conservation management of kiwi.
Issue 3.6 Little spotted kiwi have limited genetic diversity due to their having experienced an
extreme bottleneck.
Issue 3.7 Confirmation is needed about the appropriate kiwi taxa / evolutionarily significant
units to manage to retain remaining genetic diversity.
22
Germano et al. — Kiwi Recovery Plan 2018–2028
Objectives
Objective 3.1 To maintain the existing genetic diversity of all kiwi, especially little spotted kiwi,
rowi and Haast tokoeka.
Objective 3.2 To ensure managers and practitioners have an understanding of the importance
and practical application of genetic principles in kiwi management.
Objective 3.3 To clarify the uncertainties in the taxonomy of kiwi and the roles of hybrid and
mixed provenance populations for kiwi management.
Objective 3.4 To have strong collaboration between organisations and individuals holding
genetic samples.
5.1.4
ACTION
ACCOUNTABLE GROUP
(SUPPORTING/ AFFECTED GROUPS)
PRIORITY
3.1
Incorporate sound genetic principles into management
and national strategies (e.g. species/regional/taxon plans).
Kiwi Recovery Group; Kiwis for kiwi;
DOC Operations
Essential
3.2
Create a national genetic management plan for kiwi
that identifies key principles and how they can be
applied to management.
Kiwi Recovery Group
Essential
3.3
Formalise and publish the taxonomy of kiwi,
including confirmation of the appropriate taxa and/or
evolutionarily significant units that should be managed.
Kiwi Recovery Group; (external geneticists
and taxonomists; Manaaki Whenua
Landcare Research)
High
3.4
Determine the risks and benefits of hybrid and mixed
provenance populations and the role they can play in
kiwi management and make management decisions
accordingly.
Kiwi Recovery Group; (external
geneticists; mana whenua)
Medium
3.5
Create a database of genetic samples to encourage
the long-term sustainability of sample data, better
use of resources, and better collaboration between
research groups.
Kiwi Recovery Group; (DOC Biodiversity;
kiwi practitioners; external geneticists;
mana whenua)
Medium
3.6
Support current and future efforts to incorporate
genetic technologies into kiwi management (e.g. noninvasive tools).
Kiwi Recovery Group; DOC Biodiversity;
DOC Operations
Medium
3.7
Ensure all little spotted kiwi populations have sufficient
founders to provide the genetic diversity needed for
long-term survival.
DOC Operations; (DOC Biodiversity; little
spotted kiwi partners)
Essential
3.8
Use ONE to help retain genetic diversity of unmanaged
populations of Haast tokoeka.
DOC Operations
High
Topic 4 – Measuring management effectiveness
It is vital that the effectiveness of management is measured and that these results inform and
direct future recovery actions. It is possible to kill large numbers of predators and yet not achieve
our conservation goals. This is especially true for kiwi, because chicks are susceptible to even
low predator numbers. Additionally, the tools currently available for monitoring stoat presence
are not as sensitive as kiwi chick survival. The two main tools for measuring management
effectiveness and developing more successful conservation actions are:
•• Monitoring – Measuring population numbers and trends to assess changes over time
•• Survey – Measuring the distribution and status of populations
Measuring the effect of management regimes on population parameters (mortality, recruitment,
etc.) will lead to more effective planning for future work, especially for South Island and Stewart
Island/Rakiura kiwi. Furthermore, surveying to fill knowledge gaps will ensure that conservation
dollars are spent where they can most effectively achieve kiwi recovery goals.
Threatened Species Recovery Plan 64
23
Issues
Issue 4.1 Measuring kiwi population trends and distributional changes requires a long-term
commitment of effort, which can be difficult to maintain with short-term funding cycles.
Issue 4.2 Brown kiwi tools may not be suited for South Island and Stewart Island/Rakiura
species, low-density sites and easily disturbed kiwi (e.g. great spotted kiwi).
Issue 4.3 There is a general lack of new survey information required to update distribution
maps and help inform management decisions.
Issue 4.4 The full potential of synergies between national survey programmes (e.g. DOC
national biodiversity monitoring, NatureWatch NZ, eBird) and kiwi monitoring are not being
realised.
Issue 4.5 There is a need for sensitive, cost-efficient tools for measuring pest abundances at low
density and/or accurate kiwi outcomes. As these new technologies become available, protocols
and analysis tools will be needed and must be communicated to practitioners.
Issue 4.6 The relationship between kiwi call counts and changes in population density are not
consistent.
Issue 4.7
Statistical expertise is rarely sought prior to data collection.
Objectives
Objective 4.1 To successfully measure management effectiveness and the state of and change
in kiwi populations.
Objective 4.2 To inform kiwi recovery priorities and management requirements with accurate
survey and monitoring data.
5.1.5
ACTION
ACCOUNTABLE GROUP
(SUPPORTING / AFFECTED GROUPS)
PRIORITY
4.1
Identify national and regional survey priorities and
strategically fill information gaps, especially for South
Island and Stewart Island/Rakiura kiwi species.
Kiwi Recovery Group; regional and
species groups; DOC Operations; mana
whenua
Essential
4.2
Implement a long-term monitoring programme to
evaluate whether the 2% gain goal is being met for
each kiwi species (supported by the Save Our Iconic
Kiwi bid).
DOC Operations; (DOC Biodiversity; Kiwi
Recovery Group; Kiwis for kiwi; mana
whenua)
Essential
4.3
Improve survey and monitoring tools, including the use
of mātauranga Māori.
Kiwi Recovery Group; (DOC Biodiversity;
Manaaki Whenua Landcare Research;
tangata whenua)
High
4.4
Measure the response of South Island kiwi populations
to management to determine optimal landscape-scale
management regimes (same as Action 1.2).
DOC Operations; (DOC Biodiversity; Kiwi
Recovery Group; external researchers;
Kiwis for kiwi)
High
4.5
Set up systems to ensure that survey and monitoring
tools, including cultural tools, are used consistently so
that data are comparable over time and space.
Kiwi Recovery Group; (DOC)
High
4.6
Facilitate multi-stakeholder collaborations to collect
data and report on changes to the distribution and
state of kiwi populations.
DOC Biodiversity; (DOC Operations; Kiwi
Recovery Group; Kiwis for kiwi)
Medium
Topic 5 – Data management
Currently, kiwi data are widely dispersed and in variable formats, making it difficult to analyse
and report on them at a national or regional level. These data include information at an
individual and population level, spatial information, acoustic recordings, genetic samples and
other information. The data are at risk without a curation solution. Robust analysis and reporting
would improve and inform management decisions and are critical to evaluating recovery
progress. Many kiwi datasets have been, and continue to be, gathered throughout the country.
24
Germano et al. — Kiwi Recovery Plan 2018–2028
This ranges from kiwi call count monitoring and intensive radio-tracking projects to DOC’s
long-term population monitoring at specific sites. Robust and collaborative data management is
needed to maximise the impact of all the kiwi data that are available.
Issues
Issue 5.1 While essential for informing on-the-ground management, kiwi data management
and analysis are rarely resourced appropriately.
Issue 5.2 The value of data for informing effective management is not well understood by some
practitioners, decision-makers and end-users.
Issue 5.3 Datasets that contain irreplaceable data are at risk of being lost because of high rates
of staff/volunteer/technology turnover.
Issue 5.4
analysis.
Data are widely dispersed in variable formats and are often difficult to access for
Objectives
Objective 5.1 To manage and analyse data in a way that provides ownership/intellectual
property protection yet also allows for robust measurement of management effectiveness and
informs future kiwi recovery.
5.1.6
ACTION
ACCOUNTABLE GROUP
(SUPPORTING / AFFECTED GROUPS)
PRIORITY
5.1
Implement systems to curate historic, current and
future priority kiwi data using automated analysis and
reporting and user-friendly systems where possible.
DOC Biodiversity; DOC Operations; Kiwis
for kiwi; Kiwi Recovery Group
Essential
5.2
Appoint a person to assist with the management of
priority kiwi data.
DOC Biodiversity; (Kiwis for kiwi)
High
Topic 6 – Recovery planning: national level
Over the past 25 years, the national Kiwi Recovery Programme has grown to comprise the work
of over 100 partners. It includes DOC, tangata whenua, community groups, operators of captive
facilities, Forest & Bird, philanthropists and research organisations. Effective strategic direction
(i.e. this plan) and leadership ensures this work is integrated and moving towards a national kiwi
recovery goal. This overarching strategy will be complemented by other plans (e.g. Kiwis for
kiwi strategy, DOC operational work, species/regional plans, whānau/hapū/iwi mahi). The Kiwi
Recovery Group is the national technical and strategic advisory group for kiwi recovery and its
members represent the many facets of kiwi recovery work.
Issues
Issue 6.1
The scale and complexity of kiwi recovery makes it challenging to guide.
Issue 6.2
The Recovery Plan needs regular review to remain fit for purpose.
Issue 6.3
recovery.
Currently, confusion exists around the accountability for decision-making in kiwi
Objectives
Objective 6.1 To ensure that the Recovery Plan remains effective and relevant.
Objective 6.2 To ensure that the Kiwi Recovery Group gives free and frank advice, successfully
sets strategic direction and oversees kiwi recovery at an appropriate scale.
Objective 6.3 To ensure stakeholders have access to resources and high-quality advice.
Threatened Species Recovery Plan 64
25
5.1.7
ACTION
ACCOUNTABLE GROUP
(SUPPORTING / AFFECTED GROUPS)
PRIORITY
6.1
Prepare annual progress reports for the recovery
plan objectives and communicate these to DOC,
other stakeholders and all parties accountable for the
planned actions.
Kiwi Recovery Group; DOC Operations
High
6.2
Review recovery progress of this plan at the half-way
mark in 2023 and assess whether adjustments are
needed.
Kiwi Recovery Group
Essential
6.3
Review membership of the Kiwi Recovery Group every
2 years or as required to reflect key relationships and
ensure for long-term sustainability for as well as being
is fit for purpose to meet current needs.
Kiwi Recovery Group; Natural Heritage
Specialist Group coordinator
Medium
6.4
Communicate the purpose and work of the Kiwi
Recovery Group to all stakeholders and decisionmakers throughout the term of this plan.
Kiwi Recovery Group
Medium
6.5
Communicate national issues, new ideas, new
technologies and updated best practice to kiwi
stakeholders on a regular basis (through the annual
kiwi hui, species and regional group leaders and other
means).
Kiwi Recovery Group; Kiwis for kiwi
Essential
6.6
Fill key gaps in advisory resources as identified
throughout the term of this plan.
Kiwi Recovery Group; Kiwis for kiwi
Medium
Topic 7 – Planning and coordination for regional, species or topic-focused working
groups
The national scale of kiwi recovery means that further coordination of work needs to occur at a
regional, species or whānau/hapū/iwi level. This need also exists for some topics that cover a
wide geographic spread and require the input of many specialised stakeholders and practitioners
(e.g. threat of dogs, acoustic recorder development, kiwi genetics). Previously, this coordination
has been carried out through taxon groups and plans (e.g. Northland Kiwi Forum, taxon plans).
These efforts have brought together individuals, groups and agencies in an organised fashion to
tackle complex issues and progress kiwi and ecosystem recovery at a regional or species level.
Issues
Issue 7.1 There is limited coordination of partners for some regions/species, especially in the
southern South Island.
Issue 7.2 There has been limited coordination for research and development topics that involve
numerous stakeholders and practitioners, resulting in repetition of work, inefficient use of
resources and inconsistencies.
Issue 7.3 Communication between regional/taxon groups, topic-based groups and the Kiwi
Recovery Group is currently ad hoc.
Issue 7.4 Detail in the national Recovery Plan is not sufficient to guide implementation at the
regional/species level.
Issue 7.5 The original taxon plan template and development process was too onerous and
required too much resource for many groups.
Objectives
Objective 7.1 To effectively use species/regional and topic-based plans that address relevant
issues at a more detailed level for kiwi recovery.
Objective 7.1 To ensure strong communication and links between species/regional and topicbased groups and the Kiwi Recovery Group.
26
Germano et al. — Kiwi Recovery Plan 2018–2028
Objective 7.1 To support collaboration of mana whenua, community, government and nongovernmental organisations in kiwi conservation.
5.1.8
ACTION
ACCOUNTABLE GROUP
(SUPPORTING/ AFFECTED GROUPS)
PRIORITY
7.1
Revise the template for species and regional (formerly
‘taxon’) plans so that they are concise and fit for
purpose.
Kiwi Recovery Group
High
7.2
Update all species/regional plans with the revised
template by 2021 so they are up-to-date and fit the
current Recovery Plan.
Regional and species groups
Essential
7.3
Support topic-based groups that address high-priority
issues (e.g. genetics)
Kiwi Recovery Group; (Kiwis for kiwi)
High
7.4
Support species/regionally-focused groups, to
encourage collaborative achievement of local and
species goals.
Kiwi Recovery Group; regional and
species groups; Kiwis for kiwi
Medium
7.5
Communicate regularly between the Kiwi Recovery
Group and regional, species and topic-focused groups
to ensure information flow and support.
Kiwi Recovery Group; (Kiwis for kiwi; DOC
Biodiversity; DOC Operations)
Medium
Topic 8 – DOC-led kiwi projects
DOC has a statutory responsibility to maintain and restore New Zealand’s natural heritage. It
manages a third of New Zealand’s land area, which includes approximately 70% of the current
kiwi distribution. DOC also has a significant proportion of the technical expertise needed to
undertake kiwi recovery efforts and support others to do the same.
In 2000, DOC established five kiwi sanctuaries (Whangarei, Moehau, Tongariro, Ōkarito and
Haast) using Biodiversity Strategy funding. These sanctuaries provided ground-breaking
knowledge about kiwi biology and responses to management. They also led to the development
of management techniques and tools that have advanced the recovery of kiwi and other species
throughout the country (e.g. Sky Ranger, 1080 prescriptions, strategies to deal with trap-0shy
stoats). Work at the kiwi sanctuaries has nearly doubled the populations of the most critically
endangered kiwi. Furthermore, these sanctuaries and the involvement of DOC has spurred and
helped support the growth of community conservation projects in their regions.
Outside the kiwi sanctuary programme, DOC runs numerous large-scale programmes that
benefit kiwi (e.g. Battle for our Birds) and manages offshore islands and significant areas of
backcountry. Additional ongoing landscape-scale management and focused monitoring will
be initiated over the next few years, supported by the new kiwi funds provided in the Save Our
Iconic Kiwi bid, to turn the national decline of kiwi into an increase. Thus, DOC manages some
of the largest and/or longest-standing kiwi projects in the country.
Issues
Issue 8.1 Collaboration and effective communication is needed between DOC business groups
to maximise kiwi recovery outcomes.
Issue 8.2 Competing demand for DOC operating funds may have implications for some
existing long-term kiwi management and monitoring projects.
Issue 8.3 The retention of institutional and local knowledge, as well as important skill sets is at
risk or has been lost due to staff turnover.
Issue 8.4 DOC has responsibilities and obligations with Treaty Partners in line with Section 4
of the Conservation Act 1987.
Threatened Species Recovery Plan 64
27
Objectives
Objective 8.1 To support DOC kiwi projects as sites of successful management and learning.
Objective 8.2 To support the effectiveness of DOC kiwi projects by incorporating the expertise
and resources from multiple DOC business groups through regular communication and review.
Objective 8.3 For DOC to support tangata whenua as their primary partners to be kaitiaki of
kiwi within their rohe.
5.1.9
ACTION
ACCOUNTABLE GROUP
(SUPPORTING / AFFECTED GROUPS)
PRIORITY
8.1
Develop and implement an operational plan to ensure
that DOC uses the Save Our Iconic Kiwi funding in a way
that helps to meet the national recovery goals for kiwi.
DOC Operations; (DOC Biodiversity;
Kiwi Recovery Group; Treaty Partners)
Essential
8.2
Maximise the synergies between DOC priority
ecosystem and species projects with Save Our Iconic
Kiwi priorities.
DOC Operations; (Kiwi Recovery Group;
DOC Biodiversity)
High
8.3
Plan and review DOC kiwi recovery expenditures
regularly (e.g. 3–5-yearly) with operational and science
and technical staff.
DOC Operations; Kiwi Recovery Group;
DOC Biodiversity
Essential
8.4
Support and proactively build relationships between
DOC business groups and among DOC-led kiwi
projects across DOC Districts and Regions.
DOC Operations; Kiwi Recovery Group;
DOC Biodiversity
High
8.5
Support and proactively build relationships with
whānau/hapū/iwi to ensure section 4 responsibilities
are met.
DOC Operations; DOC KKA
Essential
Topic 9 – Best practice for kiwi management
The primary basis for creating best practice around kiwi management is to ensure the welfare
of birds as required by the Animal Welfare Act, 1999. Over the years, a tremendous amount of
information on best practice in kiwi management has been developed, which is mainly summarised
in the Kiwi Best Practice Manual20, 21. The Kiwi Best Practice Manual is referred to in the conditions
listed on Wildlife Act Authorities (e.g. for permits to handle kiwi) and is a key reference available to
kiwi practitioners on minimum standards and methodologies for handling kiwi.
Issues
Issue 9.1 As technologies and protocols change and progress, they need to be assessed and
included in the Kiwi Best Practice Manual, with all updates communicated widely.
Issue 9.2
access it.
Not all kiwi practitioners know that the Kiwi Best Practice Manual exists or how to
Issue 9.3 Permits are inconsistent in their inclusion of the Best Practice Manual standards and
the ability to cross-reference with the Accredited Handlers Database.
Issue 9.4 Breaches of best practice standards are rarely followed up.
Issue 9.5
The Kiwi Best Practice Manual needs to meet the needs of kiwi practitioners.
Issue 9.6 The Kiwi Accredited Handler and Conservation Dog Handlers databases are
managed in isolation from similar databases (e.g. Bird Banding Office) and are not readily
accessible to DOC Permissions and Operational staff.
Objectives
Objective 9.1 To undertake kiwi management at a consistently high standard.
Objective 9.2 To effectively communicate and implement best practice.
Objective 9.3 To ensure that the Kiwi Accredited Handlers database is accessible and managed
sustainably.
28
Germano et al. — Kiwi Recovery Plan 2018–2028
5.1.10
ACTION
ACCOUNTABLE GROUP
(SUPPORTING / AFFECTED GROUPS)
PRIORITY
9.1
Revise the Kiwi Best Practice Manual annually.
Kiwi Recovery Group (kiwi practitioners;
mana whenua)
Essential
9.2
Create a Kiwi Best Practice Committee to update the
manual annually.
Kiwi Recovery Group (mana whenua)
High
9.3
Ensure that kiwi practitioners are trained and remain
current on best practice standards.
DOC Operations; DOC Biodiversity; Kiwis
for kiwi; (mana whenua)
High
9.4
Refer to and monitor the use of best practice through
local permit systems.
DOC Operations
Medium
Topic 10 – Translocations
Translocations, which are defined as the human-mediated movement of living organisms from
one area with release in another, are covered by the International Union for Conservation of
Nature (IUCN) Reintroduction Guidelines (IUCN 2013). Translocation is one tool that helps
to meet some of our national recovery goals. It allows for the genetic management of isolated
populations, and the restoration or rapid increase of kiwi numbers at sites where natural repopulation would be impossible, difficult or likely to lead to genetic issues in a severely bottlenecked population. Furthermore, translocations are a critical component of other tools, such as
ONE and kōhanga kiwi.
As with some of these other tools, translocations should support and supplement a long-term
programme of active predator management to protect kiwi in the wild. Genetic considerations
are key, as a re-introduction in effect is creating a population with a man-made bottleneck, and
so founding populations need to account for this with sufficient diversity from good stock. As an
additional side benefit, translocations often provide opportunities for advocacy.
Types of translocations:
Re-introduction: the intentional movement and release of an organism inside its indigenous
range from which it has disappeared
Supplementation: the intentional movement and release of an organism into an existing
population of conspecifics
Assisted colonisation: the intentional movement and release of an organism outside its
indigenous range to avoid extinction of populations of the focal species.
Issues
Issue 10.1 Nationally, there is a lack of strategic direction for kiwi translocations.
Issue 10.2 There is a lack of understanding from some kiwi recovery practitioners, managers
and partners about the costs and complexity of translocations, including the relevant ecological,
biological (e.g. genetics, disease) and animal welfare considerations.
Issue 10.3 There is a lack of understanding of tikanga and whānau, hapū and iwi involvement in
relation to translocations. Consultation efforts are often insufficient.
Issue 10.4 Monitoring and reporting on the effectiveness of translocations is inconsistent.
Issue 10.5 Translocations will not address the significant declines occurring due to insufficient
management.
Issue 10.6 Translocations are costly and may not be as effective in the long term as a similar
investment in in situ management.
Threatened Species Recovery Plan 64
29
Objective
Objective 10.1 To undertake kiwi translocations using a consistent and strategic approach with
high rates of success.
Objective 10.2 To avoid new translocations where they are not the right tool for meeting
species goals (e.g. Fiordland tokoeka and great spotted kiwi).
Objective 10.3 Tangata whenua involvement in translocations is increased.
Objective 10.4 To clearly measure and understand the effectiveness of translocation as a
management tool.
5.1.11
ACTION
ACCOUNTABLE GROUP
(SUPPORTING / AFFECTED GROUPS)
PRIORITY
10.1
Adequately record translocations, and measure, report
and lodge their outcomes in the DOC translocation
database.
DOC Operations; (DOC Biodiversity; Kiwi
translocation practitioners; mana whenua)
High
10.2
Update the review of kiwi translocations carried out
thus far to determine the rates of success and failure,
as well as the factors that influence outcomes.
Kiwi Recovery Group; (external
researchers)
Medium
10.3
Develop a national kiwi translocation strategy to guide
future releases, including where translocations would
be an inappropriate tool.
Kiwi Recovery Group; tangata whenua
Essential
10.4
Identify and pursue opportunities to further upskill kiwi
practitioners and DOC staff advising on translocations
in terms of the biological aspects, cultural requirements
and tikanga for translocations.
Kiwi Recovery Group; Kiwis for kiwi; DOC
High
Topic 11 – Kōhanga kiwi/translocated source site populations
Translocated source site populations, or kōhanga kiwi, should be managed to meet key recovery
goals by maximising the sustainable harvest of subadult or adult kiwi to establish or supplement
natural wild populations with no genetic loss22. Several translocated source site /kōhanga kiwi
populations have been established over the past decade both intentionally and by chance.
Current kōhanga kiwi sites should continue as sources of kiwi for translocation, provided that
resources are available for this, and that sound genetic, disease and safe handling standards can
be met22. However, consideration needs to be given to the fact that establishing and harvesting
from a kōhanga kiwi site results in translocated populations that have gone through a double
genetic bottleneck (i.e. one bottleneck to create the kōhanga kiwi and a second one by using a
subset of the kōhanga kiwi birds to create a new translocated population). Therefore, it is likely
that wild-to-wild transfers will also be required.
In addition, a recent review of kōhanga kiwi programmes in New Zealand suggested that the
setup of these sites comes at a high cost and so, due to the time investment needed to become
productive, this investment may not be as effective in the long term as a similar investment in
in situ management, especially considering the fast pace of predator control development. The
protection of large and diverse natural populations that provide a more robust genetic source
for founding new populations is the most cost-efficient and biologically advantageous method
to found or supplement populations at other sites22. Therefore, to reach the new goals for kiwi
recovery nationally, the focus will be on keeping existing kōhanga kiwi sites and ensuring they
are well managed, with careful consideration being given to the establishment and use of any
new fenced or island sites.
30
Germano et al. — Kiwi Recovery Plan 2018–2028
Issues
Issue 11.1 Kōhanga kiwi / translocated source sites with a small geographic footprint may be
too small to contain a genetically robust population and/or are difficult to harvest from costeffectively.
Issue 11.2 Guidance is needed to maximise the efficient use and genetic management of
current kōhanga kiwi source sites.
Issue 11.3 The time of harvest from a kōhanga kiwi site relates to the carrying capacity of the
population, which is not well understood.
Objectives
Objective 11.1 To successful manage genetically robust and numerically healthy source
populations to found new or supplement existing populations.
5.1.12
ACTION
ACCOUNTABLE GROUP
(SUPPORTING / AFFECTED GROUPS)
PRIORITY
11.1
Maintain current designated kōhanga kiwi sites
to ensure that they are managed to retain genetic
diversity; this may include the periodic introduction of
genetically unrelated kiwi, especially for smaller sites.
Kōhanga kiwi sites; Kiwi Recovery Group
Essential
11.2
Ensure that when kōhanga kiwi sites are harvested
for translocation, the release sites meet the goals and
requirements from the National Kiwi Translocation
Strategy (Action 10.3) and regional kiwi recovery plans.
Kiwi Recovery Group; (DOC; kōhanga kiwi
sites; Kiwis for kiwi)
Essential
Topic 12 – Operation Nest Egg (ONE)
Operation Nest Egg (ONE) is an intensive and costly, yet effective method that was originally
developed in 1994 to rapidly build populations of critically endangered kiwi species by removing
young birds from the presence of predators. It can be utilised for genetic management to capture
rare alleles, supplement depleted populations and as a tool for metapopulation management. It
can also be used to create new populations and has the additional benefit of being an excellent
tool for engaging people with kiwi. While proven successful for brown kiwi and rowi, ONE is
less effective for broad use with great spotted kiwi and tokoeka due to their biology (e.g. social
structure of great spotted kiwi) and easily-stressed and flighty nature.
ONE has a component of intensive captive management and therefore has inherent disease risks.
This requires ONE to be used strategically and strict implementation of health management
protocols without which disease issues can threaten its ongoing success and that of associated
crèche sites. Stress related to ONE and crèche management (e.g. high densities, re-use of
pens and crèches, nutritional stress and handling) can affect immune function making kiwi
more vulnerable to parasites and infectious disease. Long-term build-up of parasites in the
environment and development of drug resistance could ultimately result in the need to abandon
infected areas (e.g. crèche sites). Furthermore, although long-term success will require the
management of pests in the release habitat, the sole use of this tool does not benefit the wider
ecosystem.
Issues
Issue 12.1 There is a lack of long-term strategic direction for ONE and how it supports brown
kiwi recovery.
Issue 12.2 There is inconsistent reporting nationwide on the annual use of ONE as required by
the national ONE translocation plan.
Threatened Species Recovery Plan 64
31
Issue 12.3 There is a need to shift towards in situ management or other methods for rowi and
Haast tokoeka.
Issue 12.4 The disease incidence and mortality of chicks associated with some ONE and crèche
sites must be addressed.
Issue 12.5 The true cost and value of ONE varies greatly between species and is difficult to
calculate, thereby impacting on management decisions.
Objectives
Objective 12.1 To utilise the national ONE programme as an effective tool for kiwi recovery
where appropriate.
Objective 12.2 To effectively manage rowi and Haast tokoeka in situ, except for the purposes of
genetic rescue for unmanaged outlying populations.
5.1.13
ACTION
ACCOUNTABLE GROUP
(SUPPORTING / AFFECTED GROUPS)
PRIORITY
12.1
Consider ONE as part of the national kiwi translocation
strategy.
Kiwi Recovery Group
Essential
12.2
Develop a long-term plan for rowi and Haast tokoeka,
which moves towards less-intensive management,
survival and reproduction in the wild. ONE will be used
only where required for the genetic management of
important unprotected populations.
Kiwi Recovery Group; DOC operational
teams in Haast and Ōkarito
High
12.3
Renew the national ONE translocation plan to allow
projects to undertake ONE across the country.
DOC Biodiversity; (DOC Operations)
Essential
12.4
Ensure consistent reporting of ONE throughout the
country as required by the national ONE translocation
plan.
DOC Operations; (DOC Biodiversity; Kiwi
Recovery Group)
High
12.5
Develop crèche management protocols to minimise
mortality and disease.
DOC Biodiversity; (Kiwi Recovery Group)
High
Topic 13 – Protecting kiwi within the production landscape
Kiwi can and do live in forest remnants on farmland, in exotic production forests and in areas
planned for mining. This land may be owned or managed by the Crown, corporations, Māori and
other groups or individuals. In these areas, the production needs and aspirations of people may
come into conflict with what is in the best interests of kiwi. However, with adequate guidance
statutory authorities, landowners, managers and Māori trustees can better address any threats to
kiwi.
Issues
Issue 13.1 Threats to kiwi in the production landscape are greater than those in indigenous
forests, as they include both the standard threats (predators in particular) and the additional
threats of fire, machinery, habitat loss and excavation.
Issue 13.2 There is currently a lack of consistent guidance and support for managing kiwi
in Māori, public and private exotic production forest, and in indigenous forest remnants on
farmland.
Issue 13.3 Misperceptions may exist that kiwi protection cannot occur while also maintaining
full production.
Objectives
Objective 13.1 To make kiwi management a key consideration within all production
management practices.
32
Germano et al. — Kiwi Recovery Plan 2018–2028
5.1.14
ACTION
ACCOUNTABLE GROUP
(SUPPORTING / AFFECTED GROUPS)
PRIORITY
13.1
Provide information and support on kiwi protection and
mitigation measures to forestry and mining companies,
farming and horticulture certifying bodies, land owners
and managers, company managers and Māori Trusts.
Kiwis for kiwi; DOC Operations; DOC
Biodiversity
Medium
13.2
Include the statutory protection of kiwi and their habitat
in district plans (same as Action 14.1).
DOC Operations; (regional and district
councils)
High
13.3
Provide information on kiwi distribution and priority
areas for management to local authorities, landowners
and managers (same as Action 14.2).
DOC Operations
Medium
13.4
Increase opportunities for kiwi protection through
incentives, rules and conditions in planning processes.
DOC Operations
Medium
13.5
Recognise kiwi protection efforts and successes in
production areas through media and sector channels.
Kiwis for kiwi; (DOC Communications
Team)
Medium
Topic 14 – Kiwi protection in the urban and rural environment
In some towns and settlements in New Zealand, kiwi live in people’s backyards. Similarly, some
kiwi areas are in the rural–urban transition landscape, which is being subdivided for lifestyle and
residential development or where people holiday. Kiwi can share the landscape with people and
this proximity offers opportunities for people to actively protect ‘their kiwi’. There are challenges
though, as pets also often inhabit the landscape and can prey on kiwi.
Issues
Issue 14.1 Predation of kiwi by domestic animals, particularly dogs and cats, is likely to increase
with further land development.
Issue 14.2 Pet owners pose a risk when bringing pets on holiday in kiwi habitat (e.g. holiday
homes, boats on islands).
Issue 14.3 As kiwi populations grow in rural–urban transition areas, the risk of roadkill and
predation by pets increases.
Objectives
Objective 14.1 To minimise threats to kiwi and their habitat in areas where kiwi habitat and
human populations overlap.
ACTION
ACCOUNTABLE GROUP
(SUPPORTING / AFFECTED GROUPS)
PRIORITY
14.1
Include statutory protection of kiwi and their habitat in
district plans (same as Action 13.2).
DOC Operations; (regional and district
councils)
High
14.2
Provide information on kiwi distribution and priority
areas for management to local authorities, land owners
and managers (same as Action 13.3).
DOC Operations; DOC Biodiversity (Kiwis
for kiwi)
Medium
14.3
Continue to raise awareness of kiwi threats associated
with land use and pet ownership, and how statutory
planning and policy can support kiwi recovery.
DOC Operations
Medium
14.4
Develop a plan to minimise the transport of pets into
kiwi areas (e.g. holiday home rentals, islands).
Kiwis for kiwi
Medium
Threatened Species Recovery Plan 64
33
5.2
Engaging people with kiwi and their recovery
5.2.1
Topic 15 – Tangata whenua
Māori have a strong connection to the natural environment, which leads to the development of
mātauranga (knowledge) and understanding. The Māori world view shapes this mātauranga
and the use of mātauranga shapes tikanga. Māori as kaitiaki are restricted and governed by
tikanga, which influences the ways in which Māori manage their natural resources so that the
mauri is balanced. An example is the concept of rāhui, whereby designated areas are temporarily
restricted from use to allow the resources to rejuvenate or because they have became tapu
(sacred) as the result of a death.
Kiwi are a taonga species to Māori. Tangata whenua have developed extensive mātauranga not
only about kiwi, but also the ecosystems in which they reside. This knowledge pre-dates scientific
knowledge and was generated from the first migrations to the present time. Many groups have
and are contributing to the protection of kiwi, and active involvement in kiwi management
maintains mātauranga which, in turn, strengthens the capacity of whānau, hapū and iwi to act as
kaitiaki.
The involvement of tangata whenua in kiwi management is growing. Treaty settlements have
strengthened the ability for some hapū and iwi to exercise kaitiakitanga over areas that are
significant for kiwi recovery and kiwi management on Māori freehold land. This involvement is
increasing, both in areas under kawenata and in productive landscapes. In 2011, Māori freehold
land covered 1.4 million hectares, including 12% of the North Island23. As the Māori economy
continues to grow, there will be significant opportunities for tangata whenua to play a central role
in kiwi recovery and existing Māori-led kiwi projects are likely to play a key role in realising this
potential by demonstrating rangatiratanga and sharing mātauranga and tohungatanga.
Issues
Issue 15.1 There is currently a lack of adequate support to tangata whenua for establishing and
managing ongoing projects and engaging on an equal footing with other partners (e.g. DOC,
regional councils) over matters of kaitiakitanga for kiwi and their environment.
Issue 15.2 The capacity of whānau, hapū and iwi to undertake kiwi management is stretched
due to conflicting obligations (e.g. sustaining marae, language revival, youth development,
improving community health and employment, and engagement with local and central
government).
Issue 15.3 Much of the current engagement with tangata whenua is not carried out in a way that
allows all parties, including whānau, hapū and iwi, to play an active role in decision-making.
Issue 15.4 Mātauranga Māori is not widely understood, acknowledged or utilised.
Issue 15.5 There is a lack of understanding of tangata whenua values around kiwi and how
those values are provided for under current legislation.
Issue 15.6 There is a need for opportunities to engage younger generations in kaitiakitanga and
kiwi management.
Objectives
Objective 15.1 To ensure tangata whenua are actively involved in kiwi conservation through
both iwi-led and co-managed projects and sites.
Objective 15.2 To ensure the role of tangata whenua as kaitiaki of kiwi is understood,
acknowledged and incorporated into management plans and actions.
Objective 15.3 To ensure mātauranga Māori is understood and used in kiwi management.
34
Germano et al. — Kiwi Recovery Plan 2018–2028
5.2.2
ACTION
ACCOUNTABLE GROUPS
(SUPPORTING / AFFECTED GROUPS)
PRIORITY
15.1
Provide project governance and management
mentoring to help projects to establish and become
sustainable.
DOC; Kiwis for kiwi; Ngā Whenua Rāhui
(within kawenata areas or in collaboration
with other parties)
High
15.2
For all kiwi practitioners, increase the understanding of
western ecological principles and mātauranga Māori
and the positive contributions they can both provide to
kiwi management.
DOC; Kiwis for kiwi; Ngā Whenua Rāhui
(within kawenata areas or in collaboration
with other parties)
Essential
15.3
Provide accessible training for skills in predator control,
kiwi monitoring, forest health monitoring, health and
safety, etc. so that tangata whenua can exercise their
roles as kaitiaki.
DOC Operations; DOC Biodiversity;
Kiwis for kiwi; Ngā Whenua Rāhui (within
kawenata areas or in collaboration with
other parties)
Essential
15.4
Support connections between whānau, hapū and iwi to
encourage whanaungatanga and mentoring.
DOC Operations; DOC Biodiversity;
Kiwis for kiwi; Ngā Whenua Rāhui (within
kawenata areas or in collaboration with
other parties)
Essential
15.5
Increase awareness of tikanga that guides species
management and understanding of the timeframes,
roles and responsibilities involved for all kiwi
practitioners.
Kiwi Recovery Group; Kiwis for Kiwi; Ngā
Whenua Rāhui (within kawenata areas or
in collaboration with other parties)
Essential
15.6
Increase opportunities for the cultural use of kiwi (e.g.
feathers, bone), and add consistency and transparency
to the process.
DOC Operations; Ngā Whenua Rāhui
(within kawenata areas or in collaboration
with other parties)
Essential
15.7
Explore how cultural harvest may be a part of kiwi
management in the future.
Kiwi Recovery Group; Ngā Whenua Rāhui
(within kawenata areas or in collaboration
with other parties)
High
Topic 16 – Engagement and advocacy
Engagement and advocacy are important tools for engaging with local landowners or pet
owners to encourage behavioural change (e.g. predator control, responsible dog ownership),
and to build public and financial support for kiwi conservation. There are a variety of audiences,
including children, landowners, community groups, DOC staff, hunters, dog owners, businesses,
philanthropists, visitors to captive-rearing facilities and the general public. Different audiences will
require different tools to ensure effective engagement with kiwi messages. This is a critical part of
kiwi conservation and one of the areas that has seen the greatest growth over the past 25 years.
For our purposes, engagement is used as a generic, inclusive term to describe the broad
range of interactions between people. It can include a variety of approaches, including
(but not limited to) one-way communication or information delivery; building connectedness,
empathy and emotional links; providing education/learning opportunities; increasing
awareness and understanding; and empowering action in informal groups or formal
partnerships.
Advocacy
Advocacy is a process whereby an individual or group aims to influence decisions
within social systems and cultural spheres to bring about justice and positive change in
environmental issues.
Engagement
Engagement refers to the process by which organisations and individuals build ongoing,
permanent relationships to work towards a collective vision for the benefit of a community
(e.g. kiwi).
Threatened Species Recovery Plan 64
35
Issues
Issue 16.1 There is a high demand by kiwi recovery practitioners and the public to connect with
kiwi.
Issue 16.2 There is currently a lack of clarity around the goals of advocacy and engagement.
Issue 16.3 There is inconsistent use of advocacy and engagement tools.
Issue 16.4 Overall, minimal empirical research has been conducted on how kiwi advocacy and
engagement affect conservation outcomes.
Issue 16.5 The impact of engagement and advocacy methods on animal welfare is not well
understood.
Objectives
Objective 16.1
outcomes.
5.2.3
To effectively use advocacy and engagement to achieve clear conservation
ACTION
ACCOUNTABLE GROUP
(SUPPORTING / AFFECTED GROUPS)
PRIORITY
16.1
Measure the conservation outcomes gained from using
kiwi for advocacy to improve our understanding of its
value to kiwi recovery.
Kiwi Recovery Group
High
16.2
Develop advocacy messages, tools and strategies to
effectively meet kiwi engagement objectives, and make
these widely available to practitioners.
Kiwis for kiwi; Kiwi Recovery Group
High
16.3
Empower and upskill practitioners and groups for
effective engagement.
Kiwis for kiwi
High
16.4
Determine human engagement impacts on kiwi welfare
and stress and incorporate into the Kiwi Best Practice
Manual.
Kiwi Recovery Group (Kiwis for kiwi)
High
Topic 17 – Captive coordination and husbandry
The primary purpose of holding kiwi in captivity is for engagement and advocacy. In addition, by
maintaining a numerically self-sustaining and genetically healthy population, captive facilities
are also able to support targeted research, staff training and releases into managed wild sites,
which directly benefit wild kiwi conservation. This population is maintained in facilities that
model excellence in kiwi husbandry and animal welfare24.
The captive brown kiwi programme has been actively coordinated since the early 2000s, with a
studbook established in 1993. The population is still ‘phasing’ into a self-sustaining population
of Eastern brown kiwi, with any remaining species and ESUs being gradually phased out. There
is also a small captive population of brown kiwi in Europe and North America that is managed
solely for advocacy.
Through visitation, captive facilities have the opportunity to communicate key kiwi conservation
messages to approximately 2 million people each year. Through this, they highlight local in
situ projects, explain how people can assist with conservation efforts and help raise funds for
management in the wild.
Issues
Issue 17.1 There is pressure to balance display needs with the breeding of appropriate genetic
pairs to maintain a sustainable captive population.
Issue 17.2 The captive programme’s potential to fully engage with advocacy and fundraising
has not been fully reached.
Issue 17.3 There are ongoing issues with developing a palatable, standardised, captive diet that
meets full nutritional requirements.
36
Germano et al. — Kiwi Recovery Plan 2018–2028
Objectives
Objective 17.1 To maintain a kiwi captive population that is at least numerically self-sustaining,
demographically stable and genetically healthy in facilities that model excellence in kiwi welfare.
Objective 17.2
messages.
To ensure the programme effectively delivers key engagement and advocacy
Objective 17.3
wild.
To produce healthy and robust kiwi for release to aid the recovery of kiwi in the
ACTION
ACCOUNTABLE GROUP
(SUPPORTING / AFFECTED GROUPS)
PRIORITY
17.1
Ensure the continuation of Best Practice Species
Management and the national captive programme.
Zoo Aquarium Association (ZAA); Kiwi
Captive Coordinator
Essential
17.2
Review and rewrite guiding documents to ensure
that they are relevant and up to date (e.g. Captive
Management Plan, Brown Kiwi Husbandry Manual).
Kiwi Captive Coordinator; ZAA Husbandry
Advisor
Essential
17.3
Incorporate nationally consistent messages and
recommendations at a local level and ensure that
captive facilities understand their primary role is
engagement and advocacy.
Captive facilities; (ZAA Engagement
Specialist Advisory Group; Kiwi Recovery
Group)
High
17.4
Complete trials and roll out national use of the ‘ZAA/
Massey Kiwi Maintenance Diet’ throughout all captive
facilities.
ZAA Kiwi Husbandry Advisor; (Massey
University and Kiwi Captive Coordinator)
High
5.3
Research
5.3.1
Topic 18 – Research planning
Kiwi recovery has benefited greatly from research and development, which has furthered our
understanding of kiwi biology, allowed us to monitor changes in populations, and created tools
for more cost-efficient and effective management. This research has not only revolutionised our
understanding of kiwi biology and how to carry out kiwi management but has also had numerous
flow-on benefits for other species. Like many other aspects of kiwi recovery, research has been
carried out by a diverse group of stakeholders, including universities, DOC, Crown research
organisations, wānanga and private enterprises.
Issues
Issue 18.1 National research needs are not regularly communicated to researchers.
Issue 18.2 There is often a lack of communication between researchers working on similar
topics.
Issue 18.3 Research results sometimes fail to reach kiwi practitioners and managers on the
ground in a timely or easily understandable way.
Objectives
Objective 18.1
To understand and communicate key research needs for kiwi recovery.
Objective 18.2 To maintain a strong collaboration between researchers, managers and kiwi
recovery practitioners in order to improve our understanding of kiwi biology, ecology and
conservation.
Objective 18.3 To support opportunities to utilise kaupapa Māori research.
Threatened Species Recovery Plan 64
37
5.3.2
ACTION
ACCOUNTABLE GROUP
(SUPPORTING / AFFECTED GROUPS)
PRIORITY
18.1
Develop a national research portfolio that
identifies prioritised research needs for kiwi and is
communicated regularly to the research community.
Ensure that one member of the Kiwi Recovery Group is
accountable for this portfolio.
Kiwi Recovery Group
High
18.2
Support the coordination of task force groups to
deal with major research gaps in order to facilitate
communication and collegiality between researchers
and practitioners. (See also action 7.3.)
Kiwi Recovery Group
High
18.3
Maintain a database of all published kiwi research and
make this accessible.
Kiwi Recovery Group (Kiwis for kiwi)
Medium
18.4
Identify datasets and research projects that have been
carried out within DOC but still require analysis and
write-up. Communicate these research needs to the
academic community for assistance with completion.
Kiwi Recovery Group
Medium
Topic 19 – Life history and population demographics of kiwi
The majority of published research on kiwi biology, ecology and conservation has focused
on North Island brown kiwi, and so the life history and demographics of this species are now
relatively well understood. By contrast, less research has been published for other species,
especially those in the South Island and on Stewart Island/Rakiura. Although some projects
have improved our understanding of the life history of great spotted kiwi, rowi, Haast tokoeka
and Northern Fiordland tokoeka, most of this work is not widely available or written up. This
makes it difficult to determine how best to manage these populations, measure their response to
management or predict future population growth, especially for new staff who may lack historic
knowledge. In particular, there is a gap in our knowledge for Southern Fiordland tokoeka and for
population trends of Rakiura tokoeka.
Issues
Issue 19.1 There are gaps in our knowledge about the biology, life history, population trends
and/or responses to management of kiwi, especially for Southern Fiordland tokoeka and Rakiura
tokoeka.
Issue 19.2 There are existing data that have not been analysed or published but may help to
improve our understanding of kiwi life histories and population demographics.
Issue 19.3 It can be difficult to study South Island species due to their low-density populations,
access issues and cost.
Objectives
Objective 19.1 To clearly understand the life histories and population demographics of all kiwi
species and that the information is published.
38
ACTION
ACCOUNTABLE GROUP
(SUPPORTING / AFFECTED GROUPS)
PRIORITY
19.1
Analyse and publish existing data to identify research
needs and incorporate the findings into management.
Researchers; DOC Biodiversity
High
19.2
Determine the current state and management needs
of Stewart Island/Rakiura tokoeka and implement as
required.
DOC Operations (DOC Biodiversity;
Manaaki Whenua Landcare Research)
High
19.3
Collect baseline data and measure responses to
management to model the population dynamics of
great spotted kiwi and tokoeka in Fiordland (overlaps
with Actions 1.2 and 4.4).
DOC Biodiversity (DOC Operations)
Essential
Germano et al. — Kiwi Recovery Plan 2018–2028
Topic 19 continued
5.4
ACTION
ACCOUNTABLE GROUP
(SUPPORTING / AFFECTED GROUPS)
PRIORITY
19.4
Researchers; DOC Biodiversity; DOC
Operations
Medium
Collaborate with research providers to improve our
understanding of the ecology and behaviour of all kiwi
species.
Growing and sustaining the kiwi conservation effort
Kiwi conservation has been carried out for over 25 years and has made great gains. Although the
aim of this Recovery Plan is to continue to grow the conservation effort to allow us to restore kiwi
populations nationally, it is also critical that any gains made are sustainable in the long-term,
which requires sustainability of people, groups, knowledge, funding and support structures, and
ongoing pest control when eradication is not an option.
5.4.1
Topic 20 – People and groups
Tackling the goals of this recovery plan require the long-term efforts of many people, groups,
organisations and whānau/hapū/iwi. If these efforts are not sustainable in the long term, hardfought gains made will be lost. Planning and preparation to help maintain the people and groups
doing conservation work will ensure ongoing survival of kiwi.
Issues
Issue 20.1 It is difficult for whānau/hapū/iwi, community conservation groups and DOC
projects that have been carrying out work for many years to maintain their momentum in terms
of effort and expertise.
Issue 20.2 Many projects (DOC, community and tangata whenua) are driven by a few highly
motivated individuals, the loss of whom can be devastating to the project or organisation and to
the kiwi work they do.
Issue 20.3 Some projects focus largely on the work they need to do, lacking the capacity or
desire to engage with the broader kiwi conservation programme.
Issue 20.4 There is a heavy reliance on volunteers for critical ongoing aspects of project
management.
Issue 20.5 Some projects and organisations are not structured or planning for long-term
organisational health (e.g. governance, recruitment, training, retention, succession planning and
resourcing).
Objectives
Objective 20.1 To ensure that projects and organisations are healthy, making their kiwi
conservation work sustainable in the long term.
Objective 20.2 To establish new kiwi projects in target areas where they can meet priority needs
for kiwi.
ACTION
ACCOUNTABLE GROUP
(SUPPORTING / AFFECTED GROUPS)
PRIORITY
20.1
Build capability to plan and prepare for long-term
organisational health through opportunities such as the
annual kiwi hui, new plans and regional forums.
Kiwis for kiwi; Kiwi Recovery Group
Essential
20.2
Provide opportunities for projects to network, share
information, access technical expertise/advice/
mentoring and connect to the national programme.
Kiwi Recovery Group; Kiwis for kiwi
Essential
20.3
Recognise the efforts of kiwi practitioners and
agencies, whānau/hapū/iwi and communities, and
celebrate their achievements and successes.
All
Medium
Threatened Species Recovery Plan 64
39
5.4.2
Topic 21 – Mātauranga/knowledge
Good management requires a solid foundation of knowledge and mātauranga Māori to base
decisions around. It is critical that this knowledge is easily accessible and protected for the long
term.
Issues
Issue 21.1 Some practitioners are unclear on how to access the knowledge, training and
technical support that is needed for good decision-making and management.
Issue 21.2 Irreplaceable knowledge and skills are at risk of being lost as a result of high rates of
staff/volunteer turnover.
Issue 21.3 A large amount of scientific and traditional knowledge about kiwi and their
management is not readily available to the wider kiwi conservation community.
Issue 21.4 There is often a lack of capacity for the technical experts and approved trainers that
are needed to support projects, people and organisations.
Issue 21.5 To stay strong, mātauranga Māori requires people to have hands-on experience of
kaitiakitanga and access to kiwi materials. Therefore, the alienation of people from the land and
the limited availability of cultural materials are significant challenges.
Issue 21.6 The lack of visibility and acknowledgement of mātauranga hinders the involvement
of whānau, hapū and iwi as they do not see themselves as having a role in pure conservation
efforts.
Objectives
Objective 21.1
To acknowledge mātauranga Māori for kiwi conservation.
Objective 21.2 To retain necessary knowledge for kiwi conservation over the long term and
ensure this is readily available to all practitioners.
5.4.3
ACTION
ACCOUNTABLE GROUP
(SUPPORTING / AFFECTED GROUPS)
PRIORITY
21.1
Disseminate kiwi research, findings and knowledge so
that they are shared with the wider community
(e.g. publications, reports, media, hui).
Kiwis for kiwi; Kiwi Recovery Group;
(DOC Biodiversity; DOC Operations; kiwi
researchers)
Essential
21.2
Provide projects with high-quality technical advice and
support and make groups aware of how to access this
support.
Kiwi Recovery Group; Kiwis for kiwi; DOC
Biodiversity
Essential
21.3
Provide relevant training opportunities for kiwi
practitioners.
Kiwis for Kiwi; DOC Operations; DOC
Biodiversity; Kiwi Recovery Group
High
21.4
Investigate how mātauranga Māori could be utilised for
kiwi conservation.
Mana whenua; Manaaki Whenua
Landcare Research
Essential
Topic 22 – Funding
Financial resources are directly related to the ability to carry out management on the ground.
Struggles to obtain necessary funding and uncertainty about long-term availability of funding
put many projects at risk of collapse.
Issues
Issue 22.1 Additional funding above what has initially been committed will be required to
achieve the key goal of this plan as well as ensuring existing kiwi management continues.
Issue 22.2 Funding agencies often fund new projects more readily than for long-term existing
projects and are less likely to fund administration and management costs.
40
Germano et al. — Kiwi Recovery Plan 2018–2028
Issue 22.3 Short-term funding cycles limit the ability of groups to plan for the long term and
create extra work for projects.
Issue 22.4 Some groups lack the capability and/or capacity to manage funding applications and
the reporting requirements of their projects.
Issue 22.5 There is a high risk that the gains made by long-term DOC and community projects
will be lost as priorities and funding pressures change over time.
Issue 22.6 As the number of projects grows, competition for funding increases.
Objectives
Objective 22.1 To sufficiently resource and support all necessary kiwi conservation work.
ACTION
ACCOUNTABLE GROUP
(SUPPORTING / AFFECTED GROUPS)
PRIORITY
22.1
Develop strategies to properly resource the
achievement of this plan’s strategic goal of a 2%
increase in kiwi.
Kiwis for kiwi; DOC Operations; DOC
Biodiversity; DOC Partnerships; (Forest
& Bird)
Essential
22.2
Advocate to funding agencies the need to recognise
and fund all project aspects, including administration
and management, and the importance of multi-year
funding.
Kiwis for kiwi; (DOC Operations; DOC
Partnerships; DOC Biodiversity)
High
22.3
Investigate the economies of scale for purchasing
equipment and services that can be coordinated from a
national perspective.
Kiwis for kiwi; (DOC Operations)
Medium
22.4
Provide workshops, training opportunities and
mentorship to help empower whānau/hapū/iwi and
community groups.
Kiwis for kiwi; (DOC Operations; DOC
Biodiversity; DOC KKA)
Essential
22.5
Reduce the administrative burden associated with
funding applications and reporting for projects through
collaboration with funding agencies.
Kiwis for kiwi
Medium
Threatened Species Recovery Plan 64
41
6. Acknowledgements
The authors acknowledge the strong engagement and support they received during the
development of the plan, in particular the detailed feedback from individuals and groups within
DOC (including the Operational Leadership Team and staff from throughout the country), Kiwis
for kiwi, community groups, kiwi practitioners, and whānau, hapū, and iwi. Thanks also to
Paul O’Shea, Paul Jansen, Carol West, Jo MacPherson, Nikki Pindur, Eduardo Villouta Stengl and
Bruce Parkes for their help and support.
The Kiwi Recovery Group 2016 would also like extend a special thanks to all of the people that
contributed to the discussions that led to the development of this plan; it has become far stronger
because of your input, passion and help.
7. References
42
1.
Heather, B.; Robertson, H. 2015: Field Guide To The Birds Of New Zealand. Penguin Random House New Zealand.
464 p.
2.
Holzapfel, S.; Robertson, H.A.; McLennan, J.A.; Sporle, W.; Hackwell, K.; Impey, M. 2008: Kiwi (Apteryx spp.)
recovery plan: 2008–2018. Threatened Species Recovery Plan 60. Department of Conservation, Wellington. 73 p.
3.
Innes, J.; Eppink, F. V.; Robertson, H. 2015: Saving a national icon: preliminary estimation of the additional cost of
achieving kiwi population stability or 2% growth. Landcare Research contract report LC2136 prepared for Kiwi for
kiwis / The Kiwi Trust, Private Bag 68908, Auckland 1145.
4.
Department of Conservation 2003: Species recovery planning standard operating procedure. Version 4.
5.
Robertson, H.A.; Baird, K.; Dowding, J.E.; Elliott, G.P.; Hitchmough, R.A.; Miskelly, C.M.; McArthur, N.;
O’Donnell, C.F.J; Sagar, P.M.; Scofield; R.P.; Taylor, G.A. 2017: Conservation status of New Zealand birds, 2016.
New Zealand Threat Classification Series 19. Department of Conservation, Wellington. 27 p.
6.
McLennan, J.A.; Potter, M.A.; Robertson, H.A.; Wake, G.C.; Colbourne, R.; Dew, L.; Joyce, L.; McCann, A.J.;
Miles, J.; Miller, P.J.; Reid, J. 1996: Role of predation in the decline of kiwi, Apteryx spp., in New Zealand.
New Zealand Journal of Ecology 20(1): 27–35.
7.
Robertson, H.A.; Colbourne, R.M.; Graham, P.J.; Miller, P.J.; Pierce, R.J. 2011: Experimental management of Brown
Kiwi Apteryx mantelli in central Northland, New Zealand. Bird Conservation International 21: 207–220.
8.
Robertson, H.A.; Craig, E.; Gardiner, C.; Graham, P.J. 2016: Short pulse of 1080 improves the survival of brown kiwi
chicks in an area subjected to long-term stoat trapping. New Zealand Journal of Zoology 43(4): 1–12. doi:10.1080/03
014223.2016.1185018
9.
Robertson, H.A.; de Monchy, P.J.M. 2012: Varied success from the landscape-scale management of kiwi Apteryx
spp. in five sanctuaries in New Zealand. Bird Conservation International 22: 429–444.
10.
Baker, A.J.; Daugherty, C.H.; Colbourne, R.; McLennan, J.L. 1995: Flightless brown kiwis of New Zealand possess
extremely subdivided population structure and cryptic species like small mammals. Proceedings of the National
Academy of Sciences of the United States of America 92: 8254–8258.
11.
Burbidge, M.L.; Colbourne, R.M.; Robertson, H.A.; Baker, A.J. 2003: Molecular and other biological evidence
supports the recognition of at least three species of brown kiwi. Conservation Genetics 4: 167–177.
12.
Weir, J.T.; Haddrath, O.; Robertson, H.A.; Colbourne, R.M.; Baker, A.J. 2016: Explosive ice age diversification of kiwi.
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America 113: E5580–E5587.
13.
Butler, D.; McLennan, J. 1991: Kiwi recovery plan. Threatened Species Recovery Plan 2. Department of
Conservation, Wellington. 35 p.
14.
Robertson, H.A. 2003: Kiwi (Apteryx spp.) recovery plan 1996–2006. Threatened Species Recovery Plan 50.
Department of Conservation, Wellington. 26 p.
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15.
Germano, J.; Makan, B. 2015: Kiwi Recovery Plan midterm review 2015. Unpublished internal report, Department of
Conservation. 36 p.
16.
Mair, J.; Moaveni, Z. 2015: The burden of dog bite injuries in New Zealand: 2004–2014. in NZ Association of Plastic
Surgeons Annual Conference 2015.
17.
Binning, E. 2012: 11,708 dog attacks on Kiwis last year – ACC. The New Zealand Herald, 25 Jan 2012.
18.
Ramstad, K.M.; Colbourne, R.M.; Robertson, H.A.; Allendorf, F.W.; Daugherty, C.H. 2013: Genetic consequences of
a century of protection: serial founder events and survival of the little spotted kiwi (Apteryx owenii). Proceeding of
the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences 280(1762): 20130576. http://dx.doi.org/10.1098/rspb.2013.0576.
19.
Taylor, H.R. 2014: Detecting inbreeding depression in a severely bottlenecked, recovering species: the little spotted
kiwi (Apteryx owenii). Unpublished PhD thesis, Victoria University of Wellington. 175 p.
20.
Robertson, H.A.; Colbourne, R. Kiwi (Apteryx spp.) Best Practice Manual. Unpublished Internal report (QD code
1428), Department of Conservation, Wellington.
21.
Robertson, H.A.; Colbourne, R. 2017: Kiwi Best Practice Manual. Department of Conservation, Wellington. 109 p.
22.
Innes, J.; Eppink, F.V.; Anderson, D.; Robertson, H. 2016: Roles for ‘kōhanga’ in kiwi conservation – a review.
Landcare Research contract report LC2504 prepared for the Department of Conservation.
23.
Māori Land Court | Te Kooti Whenua Māori 2015: He Pou Herenga Tangata, He Pou Herenga Whenua, He Pou
Whare Kōrero: 150 years of the Māori Land Court. Ministry of Justice | Te Tāhū o te Ture, Wellington. 234 p.
24.
Barlow, S. 2011: Captive Management Plan for kiwi: final 2010–2015. Zoo and Aquarium Association.
Threatened Species Recovery Plan 64
43
Appendix 1
Te Reo Glossary
Aotearoa: New Zealand; long white cloud.
Hapū: subtribe.
Hui: an assembly, gathering or meeting.
Iwi: tribe.
Kaitiaki: trustee, guardian or steward.
Kaitiakitanga: Guardianship, stewardship, protection and enhancement of all things on and
within the environs of whenua (land) and moana (sea).
Kawenata: covenant.
Mahi: work.
Mana whenua: territorial rights, power associated with possession and occupation of tribal land;
used to refer to the indigenous people at place.
Mātauranga: knowledge, wisdom, understanding, skill.
Mauri: the life principle or vital essence of a being or entity.
Rāhui: to put in place a temporary ritual prohibition, closed season, ban, reserve.
Rakiura: Stewart Island.
Rangatiratanga: the right to exercise authority; self-determination; self-management.
Tangata whenua: people of the land; local people, indigenous people – people born of the
whenua, i.e. of the placenta and of the land where the people’s ancestors have lived and where
their placenta are buried; used to refer to Māori people as a whole.
Taonga: an object or natural resource that is highly prized; a treasure.
Tapu: sacred, prohibited, restricted, set apart, forbidden.
Te Ao Māori: the Māori world. This includes te reo (the language and dialects), tikanga (the
processes and practices), marae (the community focal point), wāhi tapu (sites of importance) and
access to whānau, hapū and iwi
Te Tai Tokerau: Northland.
Tikanga: correct procedure, custom, habit, lore, method, manner, rule, way, code, meaning, plan,
practice, convention, protocol; the customary system of values and practices that have developed
over time and are deeply embedded in the social context.
Tino rangatiratanga: self-determination, sovereignty, autonomy, self-government, domination,
rule, control, power.
Tohungatanga: expertise, competence, proficiency.
Whakapapa: genealogy; the process of laying one thing upon another.
Whānau: extended family or family group.
Whanaungatanga: a relationship through shared experiences and work together which provides
people with a sense of belonging.
44
Germano et al. — Kiwi Recovery Plan 2018–2028
Appendix 2
Associated strategic directives
Treaty of Waitangi
Section 4 of the Conservation Act 1987 clearly requires DOC to ‘give effect to the principles of
the Treaty of Waitangi’, and DOC’s primary relationships are with the Crown’s Treaty partners.
Therefore, DOC will achieve healthy partnerships with Māori and meet the Crown’s obligations
to Māori under the Conservation Act 1987 by applying Treaty principles practically in its work.
For practical purposes, the Treaty principles that are most relevant to kiwi conservation are:
Partnership – mutual good faith and reasonableness
The Crown and Māori must act towards each other reasonably and in good faith. These mutual
duties are the core of what has been described as the Treaty partnership.
Informed decision-making
Both the Crown and Māori need to be well informed of the other’s interests and views. When
exercising the right to govern, Crown decision-makers need to be fully informed, while for Māori,
full information needs to be provided in order to contribute to the decision-making process. This
is connected closely to the principles of good faith and active protection. Consultation is a means
to achieve informed decision-making.
Active protection
The Crown must actively protect Māori interests retained under the Treaty as part of the
promises made in the Treaty for the right to govern. This includes the promise to protect tino
rangatiratanga and taonga. Active protection requires informed decision-making and judgement
as to what is reasonable in the circumstances.
Redress and reconciliation
The Treaty relationship should include processes to address differences of view between
the Crown and Māori. The Crown must preserve the capacity to provide redress for proven
grievances from not upholding the promises made in the Treaty. Māori and the Crown should
demonstrate reconciliation as grievances are addressed.
DOC’s statutory obligations
Under Section 6a of the Conservation Act 1987, DOC has the statutory obligation ‘to manage for
conservation purposes, all land, and all other natural and historic resources’. Under the Wildlife
Act 1953, kiwi are absolutely protected, meaning that no one may kill or have them in their
possession unless they have a permit.
DOC’s strategic direction: outcomes framework and stretch goals
DOC is committed to working towards an outcome framework, where the focus is on the
outcomes it wants to achieve (the results) rather than the outputs (tasks). DOC has one overall
outcome, which is:
New Zealanders gain environmental, social and economic benefits from healthy functioning
ecosystems, from recreation opportunities, and from living our history.
To achieve this, there are four intermediate outcomes focusing on natural heritage, historic
heritage, recreation and engagement. For natural heritage, the intermediate outcome is:
The diversity of our natural heritage is maintained and restored.
Threatened Species Recovery Plan 64
45
This intermediate outcome is supported by six specific objectives that clarify what needs to
happen to achieve it. The intermediate outcome objectives that apply to kiwi conservation are:
•• A full range of New Zealand’s ecosystems is conserved to a healthy functioning state (1.1)
•• Nationally threatened species are conserved to ensure persistence (1.2)
•• Nationally iconic species are managed to ensure their populations are maintained or
restored (1.4)
•• Locally treasured natural heritage is maintained or restored as partnerships (1.5)
•• Public conservation lands, waters and species are held for now and future generations (1.6)
The aim is to achieve these in the next 25 years (by 2040).
DOC has also identified seven stretch goals linked to the intermediate outcomes to focus its
efforts on for the next 10 years (by 2025). The stretch goals that apply to kiwi conservation are:
•• 90% of New Zealanders’ lives are enriched through connection to our nature
•• Whānau, hapū and iwi are able to practise their responsibilities as kaitiaki of natural and
cultural resources on public conservation lands and waters
•• 50% of New Zealand’s natural ecosystems are benefitting from pest management
Actions from this plan and how they fit within DOC’s strategic direction can be found in
Appendix 7.
Save Our Iconic Kiwi (SOIK) Treasury bid
The challenge posed by the Government is to turn the decline of unmanaged populations of
kiwi from a 2% loss per year into a 2% gain per year across all taxa. The 2015 Budget allocated an
additional $11.2 million over the 4 years from 2015 to 2019, with a promise of an ongoing input
of $6.8 million thereafter to reverse the existing declines. At year 4, $1.25 million of the ongoing
$6.8 million per annum will be dedicated to Kiwis for kiwi to allocate support to ongoing and new
community-led kiwi conservation initiatives. The remaining funding ($5.55 million per annum)
will go towards DOC kiwi operations and monitoring.
46
Germano et al. — Kiwi Recovery Plan 2018–2028
Appendix 3
Definitions and abbreviations
BG: Biodiversity Group; DOC business group that deals with the scientific, technical and
strategic side of aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems/species, addressing threats (e.g. predators,
biosecurity) and monitoring and planning.
Crèche: A predator-free site where kiwi chicks are raised until they reach a stoat-safe weight and
can be released to the wild.
DOC: New Zealand Department of Conservation.
Evolutionarily significant unit (ESU): a subpopulation that is not a result of human-induced
fragmentation and that has a degree of genetic distinctiveness but is not differentiated enough to
warrant being described as a species or subspecies (e.g. Coromandel North Island brown kiwi).
Ex situ: Conservation activities that involve removing a species from its natural setting.
Extirpation: the condition of a species (or other taxon) that ceases to exist in the chosen
geographic area of study, though it still exists elsewhere.
Genetic bottleneck: a sharp reduction in the size of a population due to environmental events or
human activities; also known as a population bottleneck.
In situ: Conservation activities that take place where the species naturally occurs in the wild.
Isolation by distance: A genetic pattern observed in kiwi and some other species where a lack of
gene flow across the entire population results in individuals that are closer to each other spatially
being more genetically similar, while those that are further apart spatially are more genetically
distinct.
Kiwis for kiwi Trust: A national charitable Trust that supports community-led and iwi-led kiwi
conservation projects by raising and distributing funds, raising awareness and providing on-theground support.
Kōhanga kiwi: Kiwi sites (often artificially started by translocation) such as fenced sanctuaries
and islands with very low or no predator impacts, where kiwi populations can be grown rapidly
towards carrying capacity and from which subadult or adult kiwi can be harvested to establish or
supplement wild populations.
Ngā Whenua Rāhui: a programme that supports the protection of the natural integrity of Māori
land and to help preserve mātauranga Māori (traditional knowledge), so that the values, stories
and history associated with natural taonga (treasures) are not lost to the world.
ONE (Operation Nest Egg): An ex situ management technique that removes kiwi chicks from
predators during their most vulnerable time of life. This entails removing eggs or chicks from
the wild, raising chicks in a captive environment or a predator-free crèche site until they have
reached a stoat-safe weight (c. 1 kg), when they can be returned to the wild. It often increases the
chance of survival to adulthood from c. 5% to 60%.
Predator Free New Zealand 2050 (PF2050): a private limited company formed in November
2016 by the New Zealand Government via the Department of Conservation to realise New
Zealand’s Predator Free 2050 goal. The company invests $5 million per year in large landscapescale projects and scientific research and leverages new funding to rid New Zealand of
introduced pests, particularly mammalian predators (e.g. possums, rats and stoats).
Save Our Iconic Kiwi (SOIK): 2015 Budget allocation of an additional $11.2 million over the
4 years from 2015 to 2019, with a promise of an ongoing input of $6.8 million thereafter to reverse
the existing kiwi declines.
Threatened Species Recovery Plan 64
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Sky Ranger: A system for aerially monitoring wildlife transmitters that is integrated with a PCbased project management database.
Taxon (plural – taxa): any entity at the rank of species or subspecies which is formally named
(e.g. Rakiura tokoeka, Apteryx australis lawryi) or putative and not yet formally described (tag
named, e.g. Haast tokoeka, Apteryx australis “Haast”).
Translocation: the human-mediated movement of living organisms from one area with release to
another; includes re-introductions, supplementation and assisted colonisation.
Viable: capable of living, developing, or reproducing.
Zoo Aquarium Association (ZAA): the association that represents affiliated captive facilities in
the Australasian region.
48
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Appendix 4
Isolation by distance
Contributed by Helen Taylor and Kristina Ramstad
Isolation by distance is an important concept in kiwi conservation genetics. Being territorial and
flightless, kiwi have relatively stable home ranges and, as far as we know, do not range far outside
these on a regular basis. Less is known about juvenile dispersal distance, but this too is limited
relative to birds that fly. This limited dispersal means that there is a limit to the distance that
genetic material from one bird can mix with genetic material from another bird. This lack of gene
flow across the entire population results in a pattern known as isolation by distance, whereby
birds that are closer to each other spatially will be more genetically similar, while those that are
further apart spatially will be more genetically distinct (Fig. A4.1).
Understanding the phenomenon of isolation by distance is important to maintain genetic
diversity through appropriate conservation measures. If we mixed geographically distant
birds (either in their original populations or in a newly founded population), we would risk
homogenising the genetic diversity found in the species as a whole. Maintaining genetic
diversity within species is crucial to maximising the adaptive potential of species and makes
them more resilient to challenges over the long term, such as their responses to new diseases and
to the effects of climate change. Thus, if a population or species exhibits isolation by distance, it
is important to maintain this pattern when managing the species.
Isolation by distance is known to occur in great spotted kiwi and rowi and is likely to occur in all
kiwi species at different spatial scales. Research is underway to improve our understanding of
what drives and maintains this structure, and how it can be applied to management.
Figure A4.1. Schematic diagram of isolation by distance. Each circle
represents a kiwi, the solid arrows represent kiwi moving between locations
and the colours represent genetic differences. Kiwi can move between
adjacent locations and thus birds that are adjacent are genetically similar (a
similar colour). Birds do not disperse far enough to travel or mate between
non-adjacent locations (e.g. dashed line) and thus more distant birds are
more genetically distinct (a very different colour). Moving birds between all the
locations would homogenise the genetic diversity and key differences could
be lost (mixing all the colours together to produce brown at every location).
Threatened Species Recovery Plan 64
49
Appendix 5
1.1
Implement landscape-scale pest control
1.2/
4.4
Measure the response of South Island kiwi to management to
determine optimal landscape-scale management (same as 4.4)
1.3
Use multiple pest control tools to reduce resistance to any one method
and ensure all predatory mammals that threaten kiwi are targeted
1.4
Maintain sites to develop new tools
1.5
Increase the scale and connectivity of protected habitat
1.6
Develop and promote best practice predator control
1.7
Secure pest-free islands and fenced sites
1.8
Support predator-free Rakiura
1.9
Test whether little spotted kiwi can survive on a pest-managed
mainland site
2.1
Develop and sustain collaborations for responsible dog ownership
and control
2.2
Increase interagency response capacity for addressing dogs that
kill kiwi
2.3
Engage people to reduce the dog threat to kiwi
2.4
Refine avian avoidance methods and equipment for dogs
2.5
Research options to minimise the impact of dogs
2.6
Ensure permitting consistency for dogs on public conservation land
2.7
Provide training to collect evidence suitable for prosecution when
dogs kill kiwi
3.1
Incorporate genetic principles into national strategies and
management
3.2
Develop a national genetic management plan for kiwi
3.3
Publish the taxonomy of kiwi
3.4
Clarify the role of hybrid and mixed provenance populations
3.5
Create a database of genetic samples
3.6
Support efforts to incorporate genetic technologies into kiwi
management
3.7
Ensure little spotted kiwi populations have sufficient founders
3.8
Retain genetic diversity of unmanaged populations of Haast tokoeka
4.1
Identify and fill national and regional survey information gaps,
especially for South Island kiwi species
4.2
Implement a long-term monitoring programme to determine whether
the 2% gain goal is being met for each kiwi species
4.3
Improve survey and monitoring tools
4.5
Develop consistent systems for data comparison over time and space
4.6
Collaboratively collect data and report on distribution and changes
in the state of kiwi
5.1
Develop and implement systems to curate historic, current and
future priority kiwi data
5.2
Appoint a kiwi data management role
NOT TAXON-SPECIFIC
NI BROWN
RAKIURA TOKOEKA
S. FIORDLAND TOKOEKA
N. FIORDLAND TOKOEKA
HAAST TOKOEKA
ROWI
ACTION
(See main document for full description)
LITTLE SPOTTED KIWI
Relevance of recovery actions to individual kiwi taxa
GREAT SPOTTED KIWI
Continued on next page
50
Germano et al. — Kiwi Recovery Plan 2018–2028
6.1
Prepare biennial progress report for this recovery plan
6.2
Review this recovery plan
6.3
Review Kiwi Recovery Group membership
6.4
Communicate Recovery Group purpose and work
6.5
Communicate national issues, new ideas, new technologies and
updated best practice
6.6
Review resources for advice and fill key gaps
7.1
Revise the template for species and regional (formerly ‘taxon’) plans
7.2
Update all species and regional plans by 2021
7.3
Support topic-based groups
7.4
Support regional- and species-based groups
7.5
Ensure connections between the Kiwi Recovery Group and
regional-, species- and topic-based groups
8.1
Implement a DOC operational plan for 2015 Budget funding with
regular review to ensure on track
8.2
Create synergies for DOC work with ecosystem and species
management units
8.3
Regularly plan and review major DOC kiwi expenditures by
operational and science staff
8.4
Support relationships between DOC-led kiwi projects and business
groups
8.5
Increase DOC support to and build relationships with whānau/hapū/
iwi
9.1
Regularly update the Kiwi Best Practice Manual
9.2
Create a Kiwi Best Practice Committee
9.3
Train practitioners on best practice standards
9.4
Refer to and monitor best practice through permit systems
10.1
Record translocations and their outcomes in the DOC translocation
database
10.2
Review kiwi translocations
10.3
Write the national kiwi translocation strategy
10.4
Upskill practitioners on translocation technical aspects and tikanga
11.1
Retain genetic diversity at current kōhanga kiwi
11.2
Ensure that kōhanga kiwi release sites meet goals and requirements
from the National Kiwi Translocation Strategy
12.1
Include ONE as part of the kiwi translocation strategy
12.2
Develop long-term plans for managing rowi and Haast tokoeka in
the wild
12.3
Renew the national ONE translocation plan
12.4
Ensure consistent reporting of ONE nationally
12.5
Develop crèche management protocols
13.1
Support protection in production landscapes
13.2/
14.1
Promote the inclusion of statutory protection of kiwi and their habitat
in district plans (same as Action 14.1)
13.3/
14.2
Provide information on kiwi distribution and priority areas for
management to local authorities (same as action 14.2)
13.4
Increase opportunities for kiwi protection in planning processes
NOT TAXON-SPECIFIC
NI BROWN
RAKIURA TOKOEKA
S. FIORDLAND TOKOEKA
N. FIORDLAND TOKOEKA
HAAST TOKOEKA
ROWI
LITTLE SPOTTED KIWI
ACTION
(See main document for full description)
GREAT SPOTTED KIWI
Appendix 5 continued
Continued on next page
Threatened Species Recovery Plan 64
51
13.5
Recognise kiwi protection efforts and successes through media and
sector channels
14.3
Raise awareness of kiwi threats associated with land use and pet
ownership
15.1
Provide project governance and management mentoring to help
projects to establish and become sustainable
15.2
Increase understanding of tangata whenua around Western
ecological principles used alongside mātauranga Māori
15.3
Provide training for tangata whenua in predator control, kiwi and
forest health monitoring, health and safety, etc.
15.4
Support connection between whānau, hapū and iwi for
whanaungatanga and mentoring
15.5
Increase awareness of tikanga that guides species management
15.6
Increase opportunities for the cultural use of kiwi
15.7
Explore cultural harvest as a part of kiwi management
16.1
Measure the conservation outcomes gained from advocacy
opportunities using kiwi
16.2
Develop advocacy tools and strategies to effectively meet kiwi
engagement objectives
16.3
Upskill kiwi practitioners on effective engagement
16.4
Determine impacts associated with public engagement activities on
kiwi welfare and stress; incorporate into best practice
17.1
Continue best practice species management and the national
captive management programme
17.2
Review captive management guiding documents to ensure that they
are relevant and up to date
17.3
Ensure captive facilities understand their primary role in
engagement/advocacy and that nationally consistent messaging is
used
17.4
Finalise ‘ZAA/Massey Kiwi Maintenance Diet’ and apply in all
captive facilities
18.1
Develop a national research portfolio and communicate to the
research community
18.2
Support the coordination of task force groups to deal with major
research gaps
18.3
Maintain a database of all published kiwi research
18.4
Identify DOC datasets that require analysis and write-up
19.1
Analyse and publish existing data
19.2
Determine the state of Rakiura tokoeka and implement required
management
19.3
Improve collection of baseline data and responses to management
for great spotted kiwi and Fiordland tokoeka
19.4
Improve our understanding of the ecology and behaviour of all kiwi
species
20.1
Build capability to plan and prepare for long-term organisational
health
20.2
Provide kiwi practitioners opportunities to network, share
information, mentor and connect to the national programme
20.3
Recognise efforts and celebrate successes
21.1
Support dissemination of kiwi research and knowledge
NOT TAXON-SPECIFIC
NI BROWN
RAKIURA TOKOEKA
S. FIORDLAND TOKOEKA
N. FIORDLAND TOKOEKA
HAAST TOKOEKA
ROWI
LITTLE SPOTTED KIWI
ACTION
(See main document for full description)
GREAT SPOTTED KIWI
Appendix 5 continued
Continued on next page
52
Germano et al. — Kiwi Recovery Plan 2018–2028
21.2
Provide projects with quality technical advice and support
21.3
Provide training opportunities for kiwi practitioners
22.1
Develop strategies to resource the kiwi recovery plan’s strategic
goal of a 2% increase in kiwi
22.2
Advocate to funders the need for all project aspects and the
importance of multi-year funding
22.3
Investigate economies of scale that can be coordinated from a
national perspective
22.4
Provide workshops, training opportunities and mentorship to help
empower whānau/hapū/iwi and community groups
22.5
Collaborate with funders to reduce the administrative burden of
applications and reporting
Threatened Species Recovery Plan 64
NOT TAXON-SPECIFIC
NI BROWN
RAKIURA TOKOEKA
S. FIORDLAND TOKOEKA
N. FIORDLAND TOKOEKA
HAAST TOKOEKA
ROWI
LITTLE SPOTTED KIWI
ACTION
(See main document for full description)
GREAT SPOTTED KIWI
Appendix 5 continued
53
Appendix 6
1.1
Increase landscape-scale pest control
1.2/
4.4
Measure the response of South Island kiwi to management to determine
optimal landscape-scale management (same as 4.4)
1.3
Use multiple pest control tools to reduce resistance to any one method and
ensure all predatory mammals that threaten kiwi are targeted
1.4
Maintain sites to develop new tools
1.5
Increase the scale and connectivity of protected habitat
1.6
Develop and promote best practice predator control
1.7
Secure pest-free islands and fenced sites
1.8
Support predator-free Rakiura
1.9
Test whether little spotted kiwi can survive on a pest-managed mainland site
2.1
Develop and sustain collaborations for responsible dog ownership and control
2.2
Increase interagency response capacity for addressing dogs that kill kiwi
2.3
Engage people to reduce the dog threat to kiwi
2.4
Refine avian avoidance methods and equipment for dogs
2.5
Research options to minimise the impact of dogs
2.6
Ensure permitting consistency for dogs on public conservation land
2.7
Provide training to collect evidence suitable for prosecution when dogs kill kiwi
3.1
Incorporate genetic principles into national strategies and management
3.2
Develop a national genetic management plan for kiwi
3.3
Publish the taxonomy of kiwi
3.4
Clarify the role of hybrid and mixed provenance populations
3.5
Create a database of genetic samples
3.6
Support efforts to incorporate genetic technologies into kiwi management
3.7
Ensure little spotted kiwi populations have sufficient founders
3.8
Retain genetic diversity of unmanaged populations of Haast tokoeka
4.1
Identify and fill national and regional survey information gaps, especially for
South Island kiwi species
4.2
Implement a long-term monitoring programme to determine whether the 2%
gain goal is being met for each kiwi species
4.3
Improve survey and monitoring tools
4.5
Develop consistent systems for data comparison over time and space
4.6
Collaboratively collect data and report on distribution and changes in the state
of kiwi
5.1
Develop and implement systems to curate historic, current and future priority
kiwi data
5.2
Appoint a kiwi data management role
6.1
Prepare annual progress report for recovery plan
6.2
Review this recovery plan
6.3
Review Kiwi Recovery Group membership
6.4
Communicate Recovery Group purpose and work
6.5
Communicate national issues, new ideas, new technologies and updated best
practice
6.6
Review resources for advice and fill key gaps
7.1
Revise the template for species and regional (formerly ‘taxon’) plans
7.2
Update all species and regional plans by 2021
7.3
Support topic-based groups
7.4
Support regional- and species-based groups
2028
2027
2026
2025
2024
2023
2022
2021
2020
ACTION
(See main document for full description)
2019
Timeline of recovery actions
2018
Continued on next page
54
Germano et al. — Kiwi Recovery Plan 2018–2028
7.5
Ensure connections between the Kiwi Recovery Group and regional-, speciesand topic-based groups
8.1
Implement a DOC operational plan for 2015 Budget funding with regular review
to ensure work is on track
8.2
Create synergies for DOC work with ecosystem and species management units
8.3
Regularly plan and review major DOC kiwi expenditures by operational and
science staff
8.4
Support relationships between DOC-led kiwi projects and business groups
8.5
Increase DOC support to and build relationships with whānau/hapū/iwi
9.1
Update the Kiwi Best Practice Manual annually
9.2
Create a Kiwi Best Practice Committee to update best practice annually
9.3
Train practitioners on best practice standards
9.4
Refer to and monitor best practice through permit systems
10.1
Record translocations and their outcomes in the DOC translocation database
10.2
Review kiwi translocations
10.3
Write a national kiwi translocation strategy
10.4
Upskill practitioners on translocation technical aspects and tikanga
11.1
Retain genetic diversity at current kōhanga kiwi
11.2
Ensure that kōhanga kiwi release sites meet goals and requirements from the
National Kiwi Translocation Strategy
12.1
Include ONE as part of the kiwi translocation strategy
12.2
Develop long-term plans for managing rowi and Haast tokoeka in the wild
12.3
Renew the national ONE translocation plan
12.4
Ensure consistent reporting of ONE nationally
12.5
Develop crèche management protocols
13.1
Support protection in production landscapes
13.2/
14.1
Promote the inclusion of statutory protection of kiwi and their habitat in district
plans (same as Action 14.1)
13.3/
14.2
Provide information on kiwi distribution and priority areas for management to
local authorities (same as Action 14.2)
13.4
Increase opportunities for kiwi protection in planning processes
13.5
Recognise kiwi protection efforts and successes through media and sector
channels
14.3
Raise awareness of kiwi threats associated with land use and pet ownership
15.1
Provide project governance and management mentoring to help projects to
establish and become sustainable
15.2
Increase understanding of tangata whenua around Western ecological principles
used alongside mātauranga Māori
15.3
Provide training for tangata whenua in predator control, kiwi and forest health
monitoring, health and safety, etc.
15.4
Support connection between whānau, hapū and iwi for whanaungatanga and
mentoring
15.5
Increase awareness of tikanga that guides species management
15.6
Increase opportunities for the cultural use of kiwi
15.7
Explore cultural harvest as a part of kiwi management
16.1
Measure the conservation outcomes gained from advocacy opportunities using
kiwi
16.2
Develop advocacy tools and strategies to effectively meet kiwi engagement
objectives
16.3
Upskill kiwi practitioners on effective public engagement
16.4
Determine impacts associated with public engagement activities on kiwi welfare
and stress; incorporate into best practice
17.1
Continue best practice species management and the national captive
management programme
2028
2027
2026
2025
2024
2023
2022
2021
2020
2019
ACTION
(See main document for full description)
2018
Appendix 6 continued
Continued on next page
Threatened Species Recovery Plan 64
55
17.2
Review captive management guiding documents to ensure that they are up to
date
17.3
Ensure captive facilities understand their primary role in engagement/advocacy
and that nationally consistent messaging is used
17.4
Finalise ‘ZAA/Massey Kiwi Maintenance Diet’ and apply in all captive facilities
18.1
Develop a national research portfolio and communicate it to the research
community
18.2
Support the coordination of task force groups to deal with major research gaps
18.3
Maintain a database of all published kiwi research
18.4
Identify DOC datasets that require analysis and write-up
19.1
Analyse and publish existing data
19.2
Determine the state of Rakiura tokoeka and implement required management
19.3
Improve collection of baseline data and responses to management for great
spotted kiwi and Fiordland tokoeka
19.4
Improve our understanding of the ecology and behaviour of all kiwi species
20.1
Build capability to plan and prepare for long-term organisational health
20.2
Provide kiwi recovery practitioners opportunities to network, share information,
mentor and connect to the national kiwi recovery programme
20.3
Recognise efforts and celebrate successes
21.1
Support dissemination of kiwi research and knowledge
21.2
Provide projects with quality technical advice and support
21.3
Provide training opportunities for kiwi practitioners
22.1
Develop strategies to resource the kiwi recovery plan’s strategic goal of a 2%
increase in kiwi
22.2
Advocate to funders the need for all project aspects and the importance of
multi-year funding
22.3
Investigate economies of scale that can be coordinated from a national
perspective
22.4
Provide workshops, training opportunities and mentorship to help empower
whānau/hapū/iwi and community groups
22.5
Collaborate with funders to reduce the administrative burden of applications
and reporting
56
Germano et al. — Kiwi Recovery Plan 2018–2028
2028
2027
2026
2025
2024
2023
2022
2021
2020
2019
ACTION
(See main document for full description)
2018
Appendix 6 continued
Appendix 7
Alignment of actions with the Department of Conservation’s
Intermediate Outcome Objectives and Stretch Goals
Relevant Intermediate Outcome Objectives (IOOs):
•• IOO 1.1 – A full range of New Zealand’s ecosystems is conserved to a healthy functioning
state
•• IOO 1.2 – Nationally threatened species are conserved to ensure persistence
•• IOO 1.4 – Nationally iconic species are managed to ensure their populations are
maintained or restored
•• IOO 1.5 – Locally treasured natural heritage is maintained or restored as partnerships
•• IOO 1.6 – Public conservation lands, waters and species are held for now and future
generations
Relevant Stretch Goals (SG):
•• SG Pests – 50% of New Zealand’s natural ecosystems are benefitting from pest management
•• SG Enrichment – 90% of New Zealanders’ lives are enriched through connection to our
nature
•• SG Iwi – Whānau, hapū and iwi are able to practise their responsibilities as kaitiaki of
natural and cultural resources on public conservation lands and waters
1.1
Implement landscape-scale pest control
1.2/
4.4
Measure the response of South Island kiwi to management to
determine optimal landscape-scale management (same as 4.4)
1.3
Use multiple pest control tools to reduce resistance to any one method
and ensure all predatory mammals that threaten kiwi are targeted
1.4
Maintain sites to develop new tools
1.5
Increase the scale and connectivity of protected habitat
1.6
Develop and promote best practice predator control
1.7
Secure pest-free islands and fenced-sites
1.8
Support predator-free Rakiura
1.9
Test whether little spotted kiwi can survive on a pest-managed
mainland site
2.1
Develop and sustain collaborations for responsible dog ownership
and control
2.2
Increase interagency response capacity for addressing dogs that
kill kiwi
2.3
Engage people to reduce the dog threat to kiwi
2.4
Refine avian avoidance methods and equipment for dogs
2.5
Research options to minimise the impact of dogs
2.6
Ensure permitting consistency for dogs on public conservation land
SG SPECIES
SG IWI
SG PESTS
IOO4.2
IOO1.5
IOO 1.4
IOO 1.2
ACTION
(See main document for full description)
SG ENRICHMENT
•• SG Species – 90% of our threatened species across New Zealand’s ecosystems are managed
to enhance their population.
IOO 1.1
Continued on next page
Threatened Species Recovery Plan 64
57
2.7
Provide training to collect evidence suitable for prosecution when
dogs kill kiwi
3.1
Incorporate genetic principles into national strategies and management
3.2
Develop a national genetic management plan for kiwi
3.3
Publish the taxonomy of kiwi
3.4
Clarify the role of hybrid and mixed provenance populations
3.5
Create a database of genetic samples
3.6
Support efforts to incorporate genetic technologies into kiwi
management
3.7
Ensure little spotted kiwi populations have sufficient founders
3.8
Retain genetic diversity of unmanaged populations of Haast tokoeka
4.1
Identify and fill national and regional survey information gaps,
especially for South Island kiwi species
4.2
Implement a long-term monitoring programme to determine whether
the 2% gain goal is being met for each kiwi species
4.3
Improve survey and monitoring tools
4.5
Develop consistent systems for data comparison over time and space
4.6
Collaboratively collect data and report on distribution and changes
in the state of kiwi
5.1
Develop and implement systems to curate historic, current and
future priority kiwi data
5.2
Appoint a kiwi data management role
6.1
Prepare biennial progress report for recovery plan.
6.2
Review this recovery plan
6.3
Review Kiwi Recovery Group membership
6.4
Communicate Recovery Group purpose and work
6.5
Communicate national issues, new ideas, new technologies and
updated best practice
6.6
Review resources for advice and fill key gaps
7.1
Revise the template for species and regional (formerly ‘taxon’) plans
7.2
Update all species and regional plans by 2021
7.3
Support topic-based groups
7.4
Support regional- and species-based groups
7.5
Ensure connections between the Kiwi Recovery Group and
regional-, species- and topic-based groups
8.1
Implement a DOC operational plan for 2015 Budget funding with
regular review to ensure on track
8.2
Create synergies for DOC work with ecosystem and species
management units
8.3
Regularly plan and review major DOC kiwi expenditures by
operational and science staff
8.4
Support relationships between DOC-led kiwi projects and business
groups
8.5
Increase DOC support to and build relationships with whānau/hapū/iwi
9.1
Regularly update the Kiwi Best Practice Manual
9.2
Create a Kiwi Best Practice Committee
9.3
Train practitioners on best practice standards
9.4
Refer to and monitor best practice through permit systems
10.1
Record translocations and their outcomes in the DOC translocation
database
SG SPECIES
SG IWI
SG PESTS
IOO4.2
IOO1.5
IOO 1.4
IOO 1.2
IOO 1.1
ACTION
(See main document for full description)
SG ENRICHMENT
Appendix 7 continued
Continued on next page
58
Germano et al. — Kiwi Recovery Plan 2018–2028
10.2
Review kiwi translocations
10.3
Write the national kiwi translocation strategy
10.4
Upskill practitioners on translocation technical aspects and tikanga
11.1
Retain genetic diversity at current kōhanga kiwi
11.2
Ensure that kōhanga kiwi release sites meet goals and requirements
from the National Kiwi Translocation Strategy
12.1
Include ONE as part of the kiwi translocation strategy
12.2
Develop long-term plans for managing rowi and Haast tokoeka in
the wild
12.3
Renew the national ONE translocation plan
12.4
Ensure consistent reporting of ONE nationally
12.5
Develop crèche management protocols
13.1
Support protection in production landscapes
13.2/
14.1
Promote the inclusion of statutory protection of kiwi and their habitat
in district plans (same as Action 14.1)
13.3/
14.2
Provide information on kiwi distribution and priority areas for
management to local authorities (same as Action 14.2)
13.4
Increase opportunities for kiwi protection in planning processes
13.5
Recognise kiwi protection efforts and successes through media and
sector channels
14.3
Raise awareness of kiwi threats associated with land use and pet
ownership
15.1
Provide project governance and management mentoring to help
projects to establish and become sustainable
15.2
Increase understanding of tangata whenua around Western
ecological principles used alongside mātauranga Māori
15.3
Provide training for tangata whenua in predator control, kiwi and
forest health monitoring, health and safety, etc.
15.4
Support connection between whānau, hapū and iwi for
whanaungatanga and mentoring
15.5
Increase awareness of tikanga that guides species management
15.6
Increase opportunities for the cultural use of kiwi
15.7
Explore cultural harvest as a part of kiwi management
16.1
Measure the conservation outcomes gained from advocacy
opportunities using kiwi
16.2
Develop advocacy tools and strategies to effectively meet kiwi
engagement objectives
16.3
Upskill kiwi practitioners on effective public engagement
16.4
Determine impacts associated with public engagement activities on
kiwi welfare and stress; incorporate into best practice
17.1
Continue best practice species management and the national
captive management programme
17.2
Review captive management guiding captive documents to ensure
that they are relevant and up to date
17.3
Ensure captive facilities understand their primary role in engagement/
advocacy and that nationally consistent messaging is used
17.4
Finalise ‘ZAA/Massey Kiwi Maintenance Diet’ and apply in all
captive facilities
18.1
Develop a national research portfolio and communicate to the
research community
18.2
Support the coordination of task force groups to deal with major
research gaps
SG SPECIES
SG IWI
SG PESTS
IOO4.2
IOO1.5
IOO 1.4
IOO 1.2
IOO 1.1
ACTION
(See main document for full description)
SG ENRICHMENT
Appendix 7 continued
Continued on next page
Threatened Species Recovery Plan 64
59
60
18.3
Maintain a database of all published kiwi research
18.4
Identify DOC datasets that require analysis and write-up
19.1
Analyse and publish existing data
19.2
Determine the state of Rakiura tokoeka and implement required
management
19.3
Improve collection of baseline data and responses to management
for great spotted kiwi and Fiordland tokoeka
19.4
Improve our understanding of the ecology and behaviour of all kiwi
species
20.1
Build capability to plan and prepare for long-term organisational health
20.2
Provide opportunities to network, share information, mentor and
connect to the national programme
20.3
Recognise efforts and celebrate successes
21.1
Support dissemination of kiwi research and knowledge
21.2
Provide projects with quality technical advice and support
21.3
Provide training opportunities for kiwi practitioners
22.1
Develop strategies to resource the kiwi recovery plan’s strategic
goal of a 2% increase in kiwi
22.2
Advocate to funders the need for all project aspects and the
importance of multi-year funding
22.3
Investigate economies of scale that can be coordinated from a
national perspective
22.4
Provide workshops, training opportunities and mentorship to help
empower whānau/hapū/iwi and community groups
22.5
Collaborate with funders to reduce the administrative burden of
applications and reporting
Germano et al. — Kiwi Recovery Plan 2018–2028
SG SPECIES
SG IWI
SG PESTS
IOO4.2
IOO1.5
IOO 1.4
IOO 1.2
IOO 1.1
ACTION
(See main document for full description)
SG ENRICHMENT
Appendix 7 continued