Kiwi release red-letter day for group

ANNA PEARSON

NEW HOME: Motueka Department of Conservation biodiversity manager Gavin Udy and Friends of Flora co-founder Maryanne Ewers with a great spotted kiwi which was released into the Flora Valley yesterday.

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New Zealand's great spotted kiwi returned to Flora Valley in Kahurangi National Park yesterday after a 30-year gap, making a dream come true for the Friends of Flora community conservation group.

The release of 12 kiwis by the Friends of Flora (FoF) and the Department of Conservation extends the species' range in eastern Kahurangi National Park.

It also marks 10 years of volunteer power.

FoF's 60 volunteers together maintain more than 65km of stoat and rat traps across 5000ha in the Flora Valley. The group has successfully re-established whio (blue duck) and yesterday, it was the kiwi's turn.

FoF chairwoman Maryann Ewers said it was a special day for the group in returning kiwi to the area after what had been "decades of silence".

Seven male and five female birds, wearing transmitters and identification bands, were released from make-shift burrows about 6pm.

Sourced from Kahurangi National Park's Clark River area, where a stable great spotted kiwi population exists, the birds in wooden boxes arrived in helicopters and were greeted by 100 people who walked from the Flora carpark to Flora Hut to celebrate FoF's achievement.

After a powhiri in which the birds were "received" by Motueka iwi, Environment Minister Nick Smith and DOC Nelson Marlborough conservator Neil Clifton congratulated FoF.

Dr Smith saluted the group on its "stunning" effort.

New Zealand ranked worst against other developed countries in terms of biodiversity loss, but FoF's work was "reversing the trend".

He said the conservation challenge was "way too big" for DOC to tackle on its own.

Mr Clifton said the release of kiwi into the Flora Valley had the potential to create another viable great spotted kiwi population in addition to its current stronghold.

Ms Ewers light-heartedly reminded Mr Clifton of a letter he sent in 2000 when she and partner Bill first mooted the Flora project.

The letter said: "I admire your initiative and enthusiasm for making the suggestion, but must confess to some trepidation knowing as I do the long term commitment and cost of making mainland island concepts work successfully."

Mr Clifton said yesterday he was pleased that FoF was able to lead the project.

DOC Motueka area manager Martin Rodd said FoF achieved its goal through "sheer grit and determination in a harsh mountainous environment".

"From a group of rough volunteers we have come a long way," Ms Ewers said .

- © Fairfax NZ News