Brown Kiwi

Four geographically and genetically distinct forms have been identified: Northland, Coromandel, western and eastern brown kiwi.

Population Status

Brown kiwi is the second most numerous kiwi species, with a total population of about 25,000. However, because of the rapid rate of decline, it is classified by the Department of Conservation as in ‘serious decline’, and its future depends on active conservation management.

Most of the many community-led kiwi conservation groups in the North Island are focused on helping brown kiwi, and their efforts are making an enormous positive difference to the birds’ future.

Within brown kiwi, the Coromandel variety is the most rare, with about 1000 birds, but the population is growing thanks to the Moehau kiwi sanctuary and the many community-led kiwi initiatives in the northern Coromandel. Overall numbers for the three other brown kiwi taxa are similar, but dropping because most birds live in places with little or no management. Where these taxa are actively managed, populations are flourishing.

The table below shows the estimated brown kiwi populations in 2008, and what they could be in 10 years time, assuming that unmanaged mainland populations decline by 4% each year, island populations are stable, and managed populations increase by about 7% each year.

Preferred habitat

While brown kiwi seem to prefer lowland and coastal native forest (their population density is highest in these areas), huge changes to New Zealand’s original forest cover mean they have had to be adaptable. Today brown kiwi live in many different types of vegetation, including exotic forest plantations and rough farmland. While this may seem surprising, the soils under Pinus radiata forests often support native undergrowth and provide an ample insect food supply.