On April 17th, Save the Kiwi and Rotoroa Island Trust had the privilege of hosting the New Zealand and Australian Governors-General, The Right Honourable Dame Cindy Kiro and The Honourable David Hurley, on an intimate kiwi release on Rotoroa Island.
This was the first state visit by the Australian Governor-General to New Zealand in five years, so it was an honour to play a part in this important occasion.
The visit began with a pōwhiri onto the island hosted by Ngāi Tai ki Tāmaki and Ngāti Paoa. Our esteemed guests then learned about the work that Save the Kiwi and Rotoroa Island Trust does to guarantee the future of the Coromandel brown kiwi population. They then got up close and personal with a chick known as “Cove” before releasing it onto the predator-proof island.
Save the Kiwi CEO Michelle Impey, Dr Richard Davies, The Rt Hon. Dame Cindy Kiro, and Save the Kiwi Operations Manager Tineke Joustra.
Dame Cindy Kiro participates in a kiwi release on Rotoroa Island.