- A citizen-led initiative, the Capital Kiwi Project, is successfully reintroducing New Zealand's national bird, the kiwi, to Wellington's hills after an absence of over a century.
- The project recently celebrated a significant milestone with the release of seven more kiwi, bringing the total relocated to Wellington to 250 birds.
- Before their release, the shy, nocturnal birds were brought into New Zealand's Parliament for a celebration, allowing politicians and schoolchildren to see them up close.
- Historically, kiwi numbers have plummeted from an estimated 12 million to around 70,000 nationwide, declining by 2 per cent annually, making conservation efforts crucial.
- The initiative involves creating a 24,000-hectare protected area with over 5,000 stoat traps, resulting in a 90 per cent chick survival rate and contributing to New Zealand's goal of eradicating introduced predators by 2050.
IN FULL
Endangered kiwi return to New Zealand capital in emotional homecoming after century-long absence
