Dogs are able to kill kiwi in all life stages and are the number one killers of adult kiwis in Northland.
Dogs of all sizes, breeds and training find the strong distinctive scent of kiwi irresistible and easy to track, they can catch and kill kiwi in seconds and it can happen during the day as well as at night. Kiwi are particularly vulnerable near clusters of human settlement, including subdivisions, if there are no dog restrictions, and in more isolated areas where pigs are hunted and dogs are sometimes lost.
Many residents are unaware of where kiwi live, the scale of the dog threat, or the ease with which dogs can kill and the fact that any dog can kill a kiwi. Awareness among dog owners is key to protecting kiwi from dogs.
Find more information about the district's biodiversity and what you can do to protect kiwi.
Save kiwi in Whangarei(PDF, 709KB)
Biodiversity Strategy