Kiwi Contact Tours 2022-2023 Season

Written By Kim Manunui

The Kiwi Contact Programme sponsored by Contact Energy and Department of Conservation provided 65 of our Student Leaders tours of the Crombie Lockwood Kiwi Burrow in the 2022-2023 hatching season. This was no easy feat due to the closure of the Wairakei Golf + Sanctuary due to damage sustained from the cyclone in Term 1 of 2023. The good news was that no one was hurt and the Kiwi Burrow was not damaged. Once the grounds were safe, the tours were able to restart.

Students learn about the whole process of kiwi egg hatchery. Many students were able to meet the scientists who work with specially trained dogs to locate kiwi in the wild and carry specially made chilly bins to carry the eggs. Transponders are placed on the males’ leg which allow the scientists to track the kiwi. During the tour the Kiwi Keepers from Save the Kiwi NZ show them how to candle the eggs to see how the kiwi is developing inside. The egg holding trays rotate to mimic how the father rotates the egg in the bush. Students see a newly hatched chick in a fluffer which helps to dry and fluff its feathers. In the brooder room, the Kiwi Keepers weigh a chick making sure to hold their strong feet when putting them on the scales. Though the students do not touch a kiwi as it is not safe for the kiwi, they do get to feel feathers that have fallen off the kiwi naturally. Did you know they feel soft and fluffy but with a stiff tip at the end? They are also able to get so close to a kiwi to see its little whiskers. What a fascinating career.

Kim Manunui

Hi, I’m Kim and I work with a great team to help individuals, as well as small and not so small businesses get their message, product and services to the world using digital media and creating wonderful websites that don’t cost the earth.

I was born in Canada, and grew up around Vancouver and the mountains of British Columbia. My love of pristine environments led me to New Zealand and eventually to the mountains, lakes and rivers of the central North Island which is home. My family’s heritage is here, and it’s from here that Korio traverses the planet.

The digital world is never static and neither are we.

And I say ‘we’ because I work with an awesome group of talented people who I gather together as required to complete a project.  Whatever your business, not-for-profit or individual needs are we gather the best team to get the job done.

Collaboratively we are creative, share sustainable values and work hard for great outcomes because that’s the buzz of satisfaction that drives us.

If you have an audience and market to reach, we can make that happen. Creative design, words that work and smart behind the scenes stuff that cuts through the online noise. We’ll design your website and then build it. We’ll manage the content as well as all your hosting needs. We can handle your online advertising so you get noticed,
and we’ll manage your social media presence so you get the clicks, likes and engagement to grow your business. All within the budget you set, because none of this needs to cost the earth.  And the job doesn’t stop when your website goes live. We are your virtual business partner.

https://www.korio.co.nz
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