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All species of kiwi need help to survive.

If we do not help the kiwi it will become extinct.

Keep reading to learn more about the kiwi and how you can help...

There are 6 varieties of kiwi:  North Island Brown, Little Spotted, Great Spotted, Okarito Brown, Haast Tokoeka, Southern Tokoeka

• Kiwi can live to be 40 years old
• Whiskers for feeling in the dark
• Tiny wings – the kiwi didn't  need to fly when there were no predators in New Zealand
• Nostrils at tip of beak for sniffing out worms and spiders to eat
• Eyes which are good for seeing in the dark
• A female kiwi gives birth to an egg 20% its own body weight
• Long beak to probe in the soft earth
• Feathers, rough and shaggy – no use for flying
• Powerful legs for running, kicking and burrowing
• Razor sharp claws
• Kiwi are endemic to New Zealand

People living in New Zealand are very lucky. It is a beautiful country to explore and has some very unique wildlife, including one special bird - which New Zealanders have proudly taken their nickname!

the kiwi is in danger!

Cattlestops

Cars

Possum traps

Habitat Loss

Introduced Predators

Cats and Dogs

Rats

Possums

Ferrets

The kiwi cannot defend itself against all of these dangers.

The kiwi needs your help!

Be a responsible pet owner.
Keep your dog on a leash when you are near forests and don’t dump unwanted pets in the bush.

Protect New Zealand's Native Forests!
New Zealand is the only place in the world where kiwi are found in the wild and they don’t live in cities and towns like most people. While you are caring for the kiwi remember to care for the forest too – that’s where the kiwi is living!

In 1990 the Threatened Species Trust was formed. Learn more about it ...... www.doc.govt.nz/cons/native/tstp.htm

check out this web page to learn heaps more about the kiwi
www.kiwirecovery.org.nz

In September 1998 Forest and Bird launched the ‘kiwis for kiwis’ campaign. Forest and Bird want to secure the future of the kiwi by protecting kiwi habitat and by controlling introduced predators.   Go to the Forest and Bird website to learn about the 'kiwis for kiwis' campaign. www.forest-bird.org.nz

The 'kiwi for kiwis' campaign worked...
June 2000 - The government pledged more money to help save the kiwi and kiwi habitat. Go to the 'Media Releases' in the Forest and Bird website to learn more about it.

Write to the Minister of Conservation, explain, in your own words why you think the kiwi is worth saving and the New Zealand government must do all they can to help.

Post your letters to Forest and Bird, PO Box 631, Wellington. Your letters will be presented to the Minister by Forest and Bird.

This fact sheet was written in July 1999 and updated in June 2000.
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