We were lucky enough to have Conservation Minister Kiri Allan visited the Zoo yesterday to learn more about our conservation work in Aotearoa for precious taonga - like kiwi, kākāpō and wētāpunga.
Whilst at the zoo she named this Operation Nest Egg (ONE) kiwi chick that is due to be released on Rotoroa Island later today. Hatching on 9 February, this male chick is the 18th egg to have hatched from sire / dad Waipahu who hails from the Te Mata region of the Coromandel. Minister Allan bestowed him with the fitting name ‘Mataora’ in reference to Te Mata, and because it means “the living face of” – with this chick a ‘living face’ of kiwi survival in the wild.
We’re proud to be part of ONE with Department of Conservation, Kiwis for kiwi and regional conservation partners. So far Auckland Zoo has been able to help incubate, hatch and release 391 individual kiwi into predator free islands where they can grow big and strong without the threat of introduced predators. You support work like this every time you visit the zoo or make a donation to our Conservation Fund – so ka pai to you all!
