SIMON O CONNOR/Stuff
Taranaki Kiwi Trust members Sue Hardwick-Smith and Sian Potier, with Fiona Gordon, of the Rotokare Scenic Reserve Trust, lead a hikoi for manu whenua and manuhiri to release the three kiwi into Taranaki’s Kaitake Range.
A vanguard of three adult kiwi have been released into hills near New Plymouth as part of a historic reintroduction of the native birds into the area. Over the next two months a further 42 western brown kiwi will be released into the predator-free zone in the Kaitake Range near Taranaki’s famous Pukeiti garden. The range is close to Taranaki Maunga and part of the national park.