Boffa Miskell team releases Project Kiwi’s latest chick

As a sponsor of the Project Kiwi Trust, Boffa Miskell was involved in the release of a kiwi chick at the Kuaotunu Sanctuary on the Coromandel Peninsula

The kiwi chick named ‘Tūrama’, meaning ‘to light’, was hatched and then reared for four months by Operation Nest Egg at Rainbow Springs in Rotorua. Now that Tūrama is big enough to fight off predators, Boffa Miskell ecologists safely accompanied the precious bird from the predator-free base back to his original home in the Kuaotunu Sanctuary.

To ensure the greatest comfort for Tūrama, the group waited until dark to head into the most sheltered part of the sanctuary for his release. After a few minutes of encouragement, Tūrama cautiously made his way into the bush. As a young chick, Tūrama will roam the area for a year or so before establishing his own territory within the Sanctuary.

One ecologist said, “After learning about the work that goes into protecting the chicks prior to their release, it was a funny feeling letting him go out all alone, but the kiwi survival instinct will take over immediately… it was a fantastic experience”.

Boffa Miskell has, for a number of years, supported the Project Kiwi Trust which aims to enhance and safeguard the North Island brown kiwi population on the Kuaotunu Peninsula and Motutapu Island. We feel privileged to be involved in the preservation of our national bird.