Watch the release of Kiwi chick on Rotoroa Island on Sun 2 Oct 2022 at 11am.
This chick is known as ‘Awhi’ and it’s egg was lifted from Kapowai in an area actively managed by Kapowai Kiwi Group. Awhi hatched on 5 September and it was incubated, hatched and reared at the Crombie Lockwood Burrow in Wairakei, Taupō.
Rotoroa Island is one of the few predator-free islands in the Hauraki Gulf, which acts as a creche for kiwi. Kiwis left in the wild have about a 5% survival rate, so we’re part of the national kiwi recovery programme to help give young kiwi chicks the best chance possible. By releasing kiwi chicks in our safe island environment, the survival rate is brought up to 50-60%.
DAY PLAN
08:45 am – Ferry departs downtown Auckland
10:00 am – Ferry arrives at Rotoroa Island
11am – Short welcome and introduction to kiwi chick (Home Bay)
11:30am – Guided Nature Walk (Bookings required)
Explore Rotoroa Island (if not on Guided Walk)
3:45 pm – Ferry departs Rotoroa Island, arriving in Auckland at 5pm.
GETTING TO ROTOROA ISLAND
Fullers 360 ferries depart from downtown Auckland to Rotoroa Island. The trip takes just over an hour, via Waiheke’s Orapiu wharf on the way to Rotoroa Island.
BOOKING: While no booking is required for the release, please book your ferry tickets in advance.
Rotoroa’s kiwi programme is in partnership with Save the Kiwi and Thames Coast Kiwi Care
