Our project planning began in early 2006.

Experience through involvement with other kiwi recovery projects and a clear understanding of contemporary kiwi management approaches provided us with robust information to enable adoption of the most likely to succeed management technique.

We compiled our Paparoa Widlife Trust Strategic Plan - Kiwi [PDF 58KB], designed to achieve ambitious but realistic progress through best utilization of the resources we had at hand. The plan held key components based on current best kiwi management practice and provides structure to all aspects of our project.

Our main objective is to establish a means of protecting the great spotted kiwi/roroa population in the South Paparoa Range.

Our other objectives are:

1. to ascertain population density and distribution within our wider study area
2. to monitor 20 pairs by Year 2
3. to monitor pairs to determine breeding frequency, incubation behaviour and hatching success in captivity
4. to trial removing eggs (using Bank of New Zealand Operation Nest Egg management techniques) and incubating these in captivity
5. to determine what happens to kiwi pairs when mining development encroaches on their territories.
6. ongoing accumulation of knowledge

A number of behavioural characteristics that we were very interested in helping to clarify are:

1. What proportion of great spotted kiwi/roroa would attempt to breed?
2. How many eggs per pair would be laid?
3. Is it possible to remove eggs (using Bank of New Zealand Operation Nest Egg management techniques) and incubate these in captivity?
4. What role do female great spotted kiwi/roroa play in incubation and does this differ significantly from other kiwi taxa?

To date, the Paparoa Roroa Project has made significant progress in contributing to roroa recovery. Dedication of those involved and their commitment in securing a strong roroa presence in an area where they are faced with considerable threat through habitat destruction and predators has enabled the project to increase understanding of the species and protect roroa in the South Paparoa Range. Knowledge and experience acquired since establishment of the project has resulted in actions that will secure ongoing recruitment to a population devoid of young birds. There is much scope for improving the plight of roroa and considerable optimism and belief that the project is in a strong position to achieve this.

The initial results of 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010 survey work have shown good numbers of 'paired' kiwi at higher altitudes with fewer birds at lowland sites. This work will be continued in future seasons until a broader understanding of population density across its range is determined. Continuation of survey work will also help with future planning for project expansion and will provide baseline data on kiwi numbers from which population changes over time can be measured.

To date we have captured and radio tagged 34 adult kiwi in the South Paparoa Ranges. Of these 34 kiwi initially captured we have now lost 4 from our sample (mostly due to transmitters either failing or falling off, 1 natural death).The 30 kiwi remaining are thought to represent 15 pairs which are all being monitored for breeding at present. Any confirmed breeding attempts will have eggs removed as part of the Bank of New Zealand Operation Nest Egg™ (BNZONE) Programme. These eggs will be transported to Willowbank Wildlife Reserve in Christchurch where they will be hatched and reared under the watchful eyes of the dedicated team at Willowbank.

*meaning Friendly Forest Crèche in French

The fact that one of our main objectives is to trial BNZONE™ on roroa necessitates the availability of a suitable predator free mainland crèche site or island in which to raise chicks temporarily until a target weight of 1200 grams is reached.

In the South Island there are very few mainland or island crèche sites available for use by great spotted kiwi / roroa chicks, and there is an ever increasing demand as more kiwi recovery projects are established. Adele Island in the Abel Tasman was used by the PWT for two seasons to crèche the first Paparoa chicks (nine in total), but unfortunately this was only a temporary option due to long-term Department of Conservation requirements for the island. A purpose built predator-proof mainland crèche was the only option for Paparoa kiwi.

With the help of an independent sponsor the PWT undertook the construction of the first crèche for great spotted kiwi on the South Island, building a high specification predator-proof fence around a forest block of approx 12ha. This crèche is known as Bois Gentil ('friendly forest').

When the PWT has gained experience through this first Bois Gentil project, it may construct a pest-proof fence around the remainder of the land it has at this location, so providing two predator-proof crèche sites of approx 12-14ha each.