124 | A haven for native treasures Ōtorohanga Kiwi House is working hard to be the first fully certified Living Community, including two Living Buildings. REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT Ōtorohanga Kiwihouse T T Sue Russell Guided by a bold vision to protect Aotearoa’s native species, the Ōtorohanga Kiwi House Project is a landmark development, creating a world-class breed-torelease sanctuary led by the Ōtorohanga Kiwi House Charitable Trust. Chair and project team member Kim Ingham says the aspirational project, when complete, will see the Kiwi House become the world’s first fully accredited zoo under the Living Community Challenge. “The values of our trust align with the LBC philosophy of communities that are socially just, culturally rich, and ecologically eestorative, and it is the highest level of sustainability accreditation in the world at present,” Kim says. The history of the Ōtorohanga Kiwi House is as rich as it is engaging. Founded in 1969, the facility was the result of a shared dream to protect New Zealand’s wonderfully unique flora and fauna at a time when sustained logging of native forests in the area was common. And now, nearly 60 years later, the impulse to protect and foster runs just as deeply through those groups and individuals behind the current redevelopment. “We’re leveraging cutting-edge wildlife and sustainability practices, while embedding cultural narratives within its experiences, practices and environment,” Kim explains. Ōtorohanga Kiwi House is working hard to be the first fully certified Living Community, including two Living Buildings. Situated in the heart of New Zealand’s King Country, Ōtorohanga Kiwi House has welcomed 2.5 million visitors over the last 50 years. Annually, the centre receives over 50,000 visitors, many of whom will glimpse kiwi in their natural environment for the very first time. When the redevelopment is complete, it is forecast that number will grow to over 100,000 per annum. To date, Zone 1 of the project has already enabled the Kiwi House to bring one critically endangered species, the Mahoenui Giant Wētā, back from the brink of extinction. “We’re very soon to open the next zone of the redevelopment, the Animal Nutrition and Enrichment Centre (ANEC), which is the heart of the park and features two commercial kitchens, walk-in fridge, freezer and a small butchery space,” says Kim. What makes this next phase truly special is the chance for visitors to connect with keepers, watching through large windows as they prepare meals and enrichment, offering a rare glimpse into the daily care of our treasured native animals. “We are a documentary and research base for New Zealand native animals, and a quarter of all the captive breeding programme for kiwi is held on-site at any one time. We are the pre-release conditioning site for all Western Brown Kiwi in New Zealand. “We have released 300 adult breeding kiwi to the wild over the past 50 years, and bred 650 pāteke for release to the wild. We were the first in the world to breed all three kiwi species in captivity – Western Brown Kiwi, Little Spotted Kiwi, and the Great Spotted Kiwi.” Best practice standards and husbandry manuals were developed at the ŌKH for weka, variable oystercatcher, and the Auckland and Campbell Islands teal. “You can see why, with this legacy, we are all so committed and so proud of all Ōtorohanga Kiwi House has achieved and contributed to conservation of flora and fauna in New Zealand,” says Kim. Sponsorship opportunities have been created for individuals and groups to contribute towards the good work and exciting developments planned. The trust is also currently exploring business models to help fund the next phase of development. The Kiwi House has a close relationship with the Ōtorohanga District Council, who are a funding partner in the redevelopment. “We have a genuine relationship with our mana whenua, and the support of all of our hapū of our local district. T “he Kiwi House enjoys the kaitiakitanga [guardianship] of our own rūruhi and koroheke [elders], who assist our committee and staff with our cultural well-being and spiritual needs, whilst we all care for our taonga species – flora and fauna – of Te Nehenehenui [King Country] and beyond.” 027 234 6418 www.daverowe.co.nz Residential | Industrial | Corporate | Commercial | Rural Interior & Exterior Painting | Plastering Wallpapering and more... PREMIUM QUALITY PAINTING & DECORATING Proud to partner with Оtorohanga Kiwihouse on this project
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