Keeping Kiwi Safe on the Kaipara CoastA Community Effort
The rolling farmland and bush-clad hills of the Kaipara region are home to more than just hardworking farmers, landowners, and keen hunters—they’re also home to our treasured kiwi. On Saturday, the Glorit War Memorial Hall became a hub of conservation action as locals gathered for our biggest Kiwi Avoidance Training (KAT) session yet. Over 40 dogs went through the training, ensuring they learn to avoid the scent of kiwi and helping to protect the local kiwi population.
The session seemed to strike a chord with hunters, many of whom turned up with multiple dogs, eager to get them trained. Word had clearly spread through the network of farmers, hunters, and rural neighbours, with some people travelling from as far as Helensville, Omaha, and Wellsford to take part. While bookings had started off slow, the rural grapevine did its work, and by the time training started, there was a steady stream of dogs ready to go through their paces with KAT trainer Steve.
No one minded the backlog—if anything, it added to the community feel of the day. The Glorit War Memorial Hall was open, with a welcoming table out front offering tea, coffee, biscuits, and Gill’s lovely homemade chocolate chip muffins. Locals took the opportunity to catch up, sharing stories about farm life, recent hunts, and the importance of protecting native wildlife.
Being the rural West Coast, the mix of dogs attending reflected the working nature of the area—sheepdogs, pig dogs, and cattle dogs were all part of the line-up. These dogs play a vital role in their owners’ livelihoods, and ensuring they are kiwi-avoidant is just another way local farmers and hunters are actively contributing to conservation. The bond between rural people and the land runs deep, and this training session was yet another example of how communities are stepping up to protect what matters.
A huge thank you to the Kaipara community for getting behind kiwi conservation and helping to safeguard our taonga species. Events like these show the conservation heart of rural people—where a cuppa, a chat, and a shared commitment to the land make all the difference.
A Big thank you to Rodney Local Board for funding KAT sessions.
Save the Kiwi for their ongoing support of The Forest Bridge and to Claire Mitchell facilitator for the day and Steve Rigby KAT Trainer.
If you’d like your dog to go through a free 10-minute Kiwi Avoidance Training session, fill out our expressions of interest form, and we’ll let you know when a session is scheduled near you.