Kiwi Park Welcomes It’s Newest Arrival
Exciting news from us at Kiwi Park Queenstown — we’ve welcomed a new baby kiwi chick!
On the 26th of March, a healthy Eastern Brown Kiwi chick hatched right here at the park, marking our first successful hatching in two years. For our team, this is more than just a special moment, it’s a meaningful contribution to helping protect one of Aotearoa’s most iconic and vulnerable species.
Proud parents Anzac and Atawhai, both eight years old, have done an incredible job. Anzac, the father, took the lead on incubation, carefully tending to the egg for 78 days and even being present during the hatching.
Beth Millican, Head of Wildlife, said: “We’ve lost some sleep to the excitement, but watching this breeding pair complete the entire incubation journey together for the first time has been a joy. Special thanks to Emma Bean at the National Kiwi Hatchery for her dedicated support during this time.”
Since hatching, the chick has been thriving under close care. Already growing quickly, it has increased in weight from 176 grams to 304 grams by 21st April and is feeding well. In the coming weeks, feather testing will help us determine whether our newest arrival is male or female and then a naming ceremony will follow—so stay tuned!
This little chick represents something much bigger than itself. Eastern Brown Kiwi are fully conservation dependent, meaning every successful hatch plays an important role in supporting the future of the species. In time, this chick will become part of our wider breeding and release program, helping strengthen kiwi populations in the wild.
Visitors may even have the chance to spot it during its early years here at the park—an unforgettable glimpse of one of New Zealand’s most treasured birds.
For now, our focus is on ensuring the chick continues to grow strong and healthy.
Todd Jenkinson, Wildlife Curator, said – “The work the Wildlife Team here has achieved in managing the breeding pair for a successful full-term incubation is fantastic. We’re proud to contribute to the conservation work taking place across Aotearoa for this awesome species – including working with the Department of Conservation and Zoo and Aquarium Association, to whom we extend our thanks.”
We’re incredibly proud of our wildlife team and grateful to our partners for their ongoing support.
Join us in welcoming this new, special edition to our whanau
Mō tātou, ā, mō kā uri ā muri ake nei
