12 Feb 2012

100th kiwi in breeding project released

11:11 am on 12 February 2012

The 100th kiwi has been released in a private breeding project in Hawke's Bay.

The Forest Life Force Restoration Trust began the project in 2006 and the bird was released into the 6000-hectare Maungataniwha Native Forest in northern Hawke's Bay on Saturday.

The trust is backed by entrepreneur Simon Hall, who owns the land. It is working to control pests and bring back other threatened plants and animals at sites throughout New Zealand.

Conservation Minister Kate Wilkinson says the trust's work is an example of the co-operation developing all over the country between private landowners, the business sector, restoration groups and the Department of Conservation.