A group of 26 little spotted kiwi are being relocated from their native home on Kapiti Island to Motuihe Island, in Auckland's Hauraki Gulf.
The flightless birds are being flown up to join 14 other kiwi which were transferred to the predator-free island last year.
Seven of the kiwi were released on Tuesday, three on Wednesday and 16 were to be freed on Thursday.
Ruud Kleinpaste of the Save the Kiwi Trust says it's important to have a variety of locations for the birds in case something disastrous happens on one island and the whole population there is lost.
Mr Kleinpaste says kiwi on Motuihe Island have already started breeding, and, with the 26 new birds arriving, this is expected to be even more successful.
