The newest arrival to hatch at Pūkaha National Wildlife Centre is now nearly the same weight as a block of butter and has recently been named and relocated.
When the kiwi chick hatched a month ago, it had a slight initial struggle due to its wing blocking its beak, preventing it from breaking out of the shell.
With some gentle assistance, Pūkaha staff peeled back some of the shell to help make an easier entrance into the world.
Now, Pūkaha ranger Tara Swan said the baby kiwi is thriving and has been moved to the Nocturnal House, which involved setting up a new forest floor.
“We had to remove the top layer of leaf litter and replace it with new litter, ferns, logs, and branches. Basically, everything you’d find naturally in the forest.”
It’s too soon to tell yet whether the kiwi is female or male.
Swan said full adult males can be about 2kgs, and females 3kg.
In another milestone, the kiwi chick has now been named Ringakaha, something Pūkaha kāiarahi Māori [cultural tour guide] Evelyn Chase said was a Rangitāne name.
“Ringakaha were a group of protectors, who used to walk or run between the Ruahine and Tararua ranges and protect the borderline from being attacked.”
Chase said Ringakaha could be male or female and used to protect the region all the way up to Norsewood.
