Releasing Kiwi in Wellington’s Backyard

On Tuesday, 10 February, four of our staff had the special opportunity to support The Capital Kiwi Project by acting as the courier team for five kiwis making the journey from up north down to Wellington.

The day began around 9 am, with the team setting off on a road trip to Waiouru, which served as the halfway pick-up point for the birds. After a smooth and relaxed drive, the kiwis were carefully collected and transported back to Wellington, making their way to the Capital Kiwi depot.

From there, the birds were prepared for their next chapter, being released into the wild off the east coast of Mākara, in our own backyard. Knowing these iconic native birds would soon be exploring protected habitat right here in the Wellington region made the journey even more meaningful.

Two of our team members, Ahmad and Sarah, were incredibly fortunate to hold and release the kiwi. Both described it as one of the best experiences they’ve ever had, a once-in-a-lifetime moment and something they will never forget.

Being part of such an important conservation effort was a proud moment for our team. Supporting Capital Kiwi and playing a small role in returning these treasured birds to the wild is something we’re honoured to have been involved in, and a reminder of the powerful impact community partnerships can have.