Our pest control efforts are always paramount in the day to day running of the reserve.  Since the arrival of the new kiwi we have been even more vigilant as it is imperative these 30 new arrivals acclimate to their surroundings.  We are delighted to report, that so far, no pesky predators have managed to get to any of our birds. 

Comments Programme Manager, Bruce Vander Lee "We have been tracking the birds since they arrived and we are really pleased with the movement we have monitored.  Most of the birds have remained in burrows within about 500 metres of where we put them.  We have had one bird mind you, that took off and ended up outside the reserve.  Fortunately we got him back safe and sound".

Predators have to breach the Greater Wellington Regional Council monitored buffer zone which is on the farmland each side of our reserve.  This is a well protected area.  Then on our perimeter is around 540 traps. Pest control is the most expensive thing we do.  Monitoring healthy birds is the most rewarding.