Pāmu’s Commitment to Kiwi Conservation: Protecting New Zealand’s National Icon

At Pāmu, we are dedicated to the protection and preservation of one of New Zealand’s most iconic species: the kiwi. Through our partnerships with Kiwi Coast and other local organizations, we actively contribute to Kiwi conservation efforts across Northland.

Kiwi Avoidance Training for Farm Dogs

Dogs pose a significant risk to kiwi, as the birds are defenceless against them. To address this, Pāmu has implemented kiwi avoidance training across all our Northland farms. This training, developed by Kiwis for Kiwis, educates dogs and their owners about the importance of keeping kiwis safe. Dogs learn to recognize and avoid kiwi, significantly reducing the risk of harm to these vulnerable birds. As Peter Eagles, farm manager at Mangatoa, states: "Ko matou te kaitiaki (we are the guardians) of this land, and protecting the Kiwis who also call this farm home is an integral part of that guardianship."

Pāmu’s Contribution to Kiwi Coast

Pāmu is proud to partner with Kiwi Coast, a collaborative initiative in Northland that links over 250 community-led conservation projects. Kiwi Coast’s primary focus is pest control, particularly the removal of animal pests like possums, mustelids, and rats, which harm native wildlife and habitats.

Through this collaboration, Pāmu has contributed 17,547 hectares of land to Kiwi Coast’s conservation efforts. Our properties, including Kapiro Station, Mangatoa, Rangiputa, and Omamari, play a crucial role in supporting kiwi and other native species.

Pest Free Purerua Project

In addition to kiwi avoidance training, Pāmu is actively involved in the Pest Free Purerua project, now in its fourth year. This 7,600-hectare peninsula is home to 25% of Northland’s kiwi population. Since its inception in 2020, the project has significantly boosted pest control efforts in the area, aiming to achieve a predator-free environment.

In 2024, the project achieved another milestone with the release of 20 endangered pāteke (brown teal) at The Landing. Post-release monitoring revealed a 60% survival rate, showcasing the success of the project’s conservation efforts. However, challenges such as feral cat predation remain, highlighting the complexities of protecting vulnerable species.

Biodiversity Gains

Through intensive pest control across the elimination zone, supported by a buffer zone (Taronui) and the larger protection zone (Mid North HVA), the Pest Free Purerua project has made significant biodiversity gains. Since its inception, Kiwi Coast has facilitated the removal of over 708,000 animal pests, creating safer habitats for kiwi and other endangered species.

Join Us in Protecting Kiwi

At Pāmu, we understand the importance of protecting New Zealand’s native wildlife for future generations. We are proud to contribute to these conservation efforts and to be part of the solution in saving the kiwi. We encourage others to join us in supporting these initiatives by donating to Save the Kiwi.