The white kiwi chick

Named Manukura by local iwi Rangitane o Wairarapa, the chick is not an albino but the rare progeny of kiwi that were transferred to Pukaha from Hauturu/Little Barrier Island last year.

“As far as we know, this is the first all-white chick to be hatched in captivity,” said Pukaha Mount Bruce Board chairman, Bob Francis. “The intention of the transfer was to increase the kiwi gene pool at Pukaha and grow the population in the long-term. The kiwi population on Little Barrier Island hasbirds with white markings and some white kiwi, but this was still a big surprise.” No white kiwi were brought to Pukaha.

“This first breeding season involving the Little Barrier kiwi has far exceeded expectations,” Bob Francis said. “Faster breeding is exactly what was intended by the transfer, but were blown away by the number of chicks produced so quickly.” Compared to this season’s 14 chicks, between 2005 and 2010 a total of 10 chicks were hatched and returned to the forest.

Rangitane chief executive and Pukaha board member, Jason Kerehi, said tribal elders saw the white chick as a ‘tohu’ or ‘sign’ of new beginnings. “Every now and then something extraordinary comes along to remind you of how special life is. While we’re celebrating all 14 kiwi hatched this year, Manukura is a very special gift.”

Darren Page, DOC Captive Breeding Ranger at Pukaha Mount Bruce and Jason Kerehi of Rangitane o Wairarapa with Manukura, the rare white kiwi chick hatched at Pukaha Mount Bruce on 1 May 2011.
Darren Page, DOC Captive Breeding Ranger at Pukaha Mount Bruce and Jason Kerehi of Rangitane o Wairarapa with Manukura, the rare white kiwi chick hatched at Pukaha Mount Bruce on 1 May 2011

Meaning ‘of chiefly status’ the Maori name Manukura also joins the Rangitane people with Ngati Manuhiri, the tribe from Little Barrier Island which helped transfer the 30 kiwi to Pukaha. ‘Kurahaupo’ was a Rangitane waka or canoe. ‘Manu’ means something of high rank and also a bird. Kura means ‘precious’ and also ‘feather’.