These two kiwi chicks were believed to be the first born in the wild near Wellington in 150 years. Photo: supplied/Pete Kirkman
One hundred wild kiwi will be released into the hills around Wellington from later this month.
Capital Kiwi Project founder Paul Ward told Morning Report they'll join the 63 already moved to the Capital since 2022.
"It's really exciting and we're deeply stoaked to receive that permit from DOC [Department of Conservation] to move that number of birds, it's quite radical in terms of pace an scale in growing a kiwi population."
The birds were from Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari in Waikato and the first were due to arrive on 18 March.
"With the support of the Wellington Aeroclub they're coming down in a squadron of light aircraft to Wellington Airport so we've got some flying kiwi arriving on the hills," Ward said.
There would be further flights on 19 and 20 March, with the remainder of the birds arriving in April and March.
A hundred kiwi to be released near Wellington
Ward said the birds that had arrived to date were doing well - putting on weight and breeding.
"There are kiwi running around out there 10 minutes from the CBD really so it's pretty sweet."
It showed what the community, iwi and landowners could achieve together, he said.
A network of 4600 traps from Red Rocks on the south coast to Porirua in the north help protect the birds, Ward said.