Kiwi Contact 2024
Imagine getting up close and personal with one of New Zealand’s most unique and beloved creatures — the kiwi! That’s exactly what the students of Taupō get to do through the Kiwi Contact programme. This collaborative effort between Save the Kiwi, Contact Energy, and Wairakei Golf + Sanctuary, along with Kids Greening Taupō and support from the Department of Conservation, has made a real impact. Since the Gallagher Kiwi Burrow (formerly known as the Crombie Lockwood Kiwi Burrow) first opened in 2019, it has given over 850 students unforgettable opportunities to learn about our unique kiwi bird and get involved in conservation efforts.
Students gather at the Wairakei Golf + Sanctuary, where they are welcomed by Kids Greening Taupō coordinators. The coordinators explain the unique collaboration between Wairakei Golf + Sanctuary, Greening Taupō, and Kids Greening Taupō. The golf course is surrounded by a predator-proof fence that safeguards endangered native birds such as kiwi, tākāhē, and kārearea from predators like rats, stoats, and hedgehogs etc. Recognising that Taupō lacked sufficient native bush to support a growing population of native birds, Greening Taupō was established to create bird corridors in and around the town to improve the Taupō environment for the people and native wildlife. These corridors will connect the remaining patches of native bush on Mount Tauhara and Ōpepe with the sanctuary. Kids Greening Taupō was founded to complement these efforts through environmental education and engagement with local children and their families.
Kids Greening Taupō Student Leaders touring the Gallagher Kiwi Burrow run by Save the Kiwi on Wairakei Golf + Sanctuary.
At the burrow, Kiwi Keepers share fascinating facts about these nocturnal birds and the important work being done to protect them. Students can feel the softness of dropped kiwi feathers, which are more like hair than traditional bird feathers. They also marvel at the size of a kiwi egg, learning that the egg-to-female ratio is similar to a woman birthing a four-year-old child! Students get a closer look at the eggs through egg candling demonstrations, where they can see air pockets, blood vessels, and, if they’re lucky, a kiwi beak poking into the air pocket. The tours conclude with a special moment: seeing live kiwi chicks during health checks. This year, students from Waipāhīhī-a-Tia Primary School experienced an extraordinary moment when they witnessed a kiwi hatching. Check out the video below to watch this incredible event!
These tours weren’t just about observing — they were about inspiring action. Students left with valuable knowledge and practical tips to help protect New Zealand’s native wildlife. Some key lessons included:
Kiwi Conservation Knowledge: Understanding how collecting kiwi eggs for safe incubation at the Gallagher Kiwi Burrow helps protect these precious birds.
Appreciation of Kiwi Traits: Learning why kiwis are national treasures through hands-on activities and up-close encounters.
Practical Conservation Tips: Discovering how planting, weeding, predator control, and responsible pet ownership can make a difference.
Safe Native Bird Habitats: Seeing how predator-proof fences and native plantings create safe spaces for native birds to thrive.
The Kiwi Contact Tours have inspired a new generation of conservationists by combining education with hands-on experiences. Students leave the tours not only with a deeper appreciation for New Zealand’s native wildlife but also with the tools to make a difference in their communities. These tours highlight the importance of teamwork between organisations like Save the Kiwi, Contact Energy, Wairakei Golf + Sanctuary, the Department of Conservation, Greening Taupō and Kids Greening Taupō. By working together, they are safeguarding the future of the kiwi and teaching the next generation to value and protect our unique biodiversity.
