An approach was made to the Department of Conservation to transfer brown kiwi from the North Island to the South.
North Island brown kiwi Photo: Supplied: Scimex
An approach was made to the Department of Conservation to transfer brown kiwi from the North Island to the South.
The informal request came from a Northland kaumatua.
Radio New Zealand understands it was for five live brown kiwi to be gifted to Ngai Tahu as part of a cultural exchange.
Last month, Northland leader Sonny Tau made headlines when he was caught in possession of five dead kereru.
DOC said the current population of brown kiwi was about 25,000 and declining steadily.
It said any proposals to transfer protected species would require authorisation under the Wildlife Act and be considered on conservation grounds.
Ngai Tahu is not commenting on the issue.