Whakamanu Wildlife Trust

Click here to view Kiwi chick release video wmv (11 .8 Mb)

The Whakamanu Wildlife Trust was formed in June 2000, and is managed by Kerry Oates whose efforts over the last six years have promoted the protection, preservation and conservation of the native flora and fauna in the Waimarino area and throughout New Zealand.

“Whakamanu” means to ‘transform to a bird’, a name that aptly describes one of the Trusts primary objectives – to produce kiwi chicks for release back into the wild, ensuring the survival of this unique taonga (treasure).

One of the main aims of the Trust is to conduct Operation Nest Egg (O.N.E) in the Ruapehu region. This is done in conjunction with Enviro Research Ltd, an environmental consultancy operated by Kerry Oates. O.N.E is a nationally utilised conservation tool, and there are in excess of 20 O.N.E operations in New Zealand.

O.N.E involves retrieving kiwi eggs from known nests and artificially incubating them until they hatch. Chicks are then reared until they weigh around 1000g, which is considered to be large enough to avoid stoat predation. Chicks are then released back into their wild locations and fitted with a transmitter so that their progress can be monitored. Today only 5% of kiwi chicks hatched in the wild survive into adulthood due to predation. During their involvement with the Karioi Rahui ecological restoration project, located on the southern slopes of Mt Ruapehu, Enviro Research and the Trust achieved an 86% survival rate with chicks hatched through O.N.E.

The Whakamanu Wildlife Trust is a Charitable Trust actively seeking funding to meet the on going costs of kiwi restoration in the Ruapehu District. The Trust operates on a voluntary basis, but even without labour expenses the Trust urgently needs money to purchase new monitoring equipment, to cover fuel and transport costs, recharging of transmitters and essential training expenses. These are just a few of the costs that must be met so the Trust can help to save our national icon.

There are a number of ways that you can support the Trust:

If you help us save our Kiwi, we can offer you a unique experience!

The Whakamanu Wildlife Trust is in the fortunate & rare position of being able to offer  all sponsors of the Trust a unique opportunity -   the chance to see & touch a kiwi chick just before it takes its first steps into the wild. 

There are three levels of sponsorship:

NAME A KIWI - $2,000

“Name a Kiwi” gives you naming rights to your very own kiwi chick, plus an invitation to hold your named chick at its release into the wild,  a framed photo of you with your chick, & a 12 month subscription to receive quarterly Trust newsletters, so you can follow the progress of our radio tracked kiwis in Waimarino Forest. *If you choose to renew your sponsorship in the following year, you will also be invited to attend a nest interception &/or travel with kiwi eggs to Rainbow Springs in Rotorua, where you will get a complimentary tour of their wonderful ‘Kiwi Encounter’ facility.

SUPPORT A KIWI - $1,000

qualifies you to support a previously released kiwi chick, or breeding adult for one year. You will have the opportunity to attend a transmitter & health check in the wild. Receive progress reports & quarterly Trust newsletters for a year, so you can follow your kiwi’s progress. We currently have named, previously released chicks, and adults available for your support. If you would like to support one of these birds then “Support a Kiwi” is for you…

EXECUTIVE MEMBERSHIP - $500

As an “Executive Member” of the Trust you automatically enter a draw to attend a kiwi chick release & receive quarterly Trust newsletters for a year, so you can follow the progress of our radio tracked birds as they make their new life in the wild. Executive Membership is renewable annually.