Southern Ruahine Kiwi 

Southern Ruahine Kiwi (SRK) is partnering with ENM to become an independent Charitable Trust that reflects the aspirations of tangata whenua. Together, we are ensuring the new entity is grounded in iwi values and hopes, and  

The southern Ruahine Ranges are a vital stronghold of native wildlife across the Manawatū and hold deep significance for local communities. Once home to kiwi, these forests have been without them for more than 50 years due to predators and pests that continue to damage the ecosystem. 

SRK is leading a collaborative inter-generational effort to establish an extensive unfenced sanctuary where we can restore the forests for everyone to enjoy. 

Predator Control 

Over 2,000 traps are already in place, reducing predator numbers and creating safer conditions for native wildlife to thrive. Working alongside Save the Kiwi, DoC and Horizons, SRK has developed comprehensive plans for pest control, and environmental monitoring. Ferrets, stoats and feral cats are our top priority, as they are kiwi’s main predators. Our focus for the next two years is to ramp up the intensity of our activities to get predator numbers down to acceptable levels for kiwi to survive and thrive. 

Reintroduction 

Our first reintroduction will be North Island Brown Kiwi and depending on funding we plan to start reintroducing them in autumn of 2027 or 2028. We are working with funders, tangata whenua, landowners, Save the Kiwi, Cape Sanctuary in Hawkes Bay, and DoC to prepare for their reintroduction. 

Habitat Restoration 

Kiwi are not the only taonga that are absent or struggling across the southern Ruahine Ranges. Our longer-term plans are to manage other non-native species present in large numbers in the ranges. The forest understory needs to recover, so that birds, insects, mosses, young trees, ferns, bats and fish can all once again thrive. 

We have two central 7000ha areas where we are doing our most intensive work, one each on the western and eastern side of the ranges. These are the areas where kiwi will be introduced. 

These are surrounded by a further 15,000ha where we and our trapping collaborators Mauri Oho, Ruahine Whio Protectors, Manaaki Ruahine and landowners are working to protect the central areas from ferrets and stoats.

Everyone’s contribution helps to ensure our success. This can be through help with funding or through volunteering. 

Volunteer

If you a keen walker or outdoors person who is interested in checking a trapline on a regular basis? Or maybe you have other skills you think might be valuable to the project?

Fill out our Volunteer form here

Give a Little 

If you would like to give a little as a one off or a reacurring thing, please follow the link to our give a little page. 

Click here for the Give a Little page

Give a lot

If you'd like to make a large donation, please follow the link to our form.

Click here