‘Little’ creature feared locally extinct for decades rediscovered in New Zealand
In a remote region of mainland New Zealand’s west coast, Iain Graham heard a duet between a male and female of one of the country’s most iconic species.
If Graham’s ears were correct — honed by his profession as a Biodiversity ranger — then he knew he was hearing two creatures believed to be locally extinct — little spotted kiwi, known locally as a kiwi pukupuku, according to a July 16 news release from the New Zealand Department of Conservation.
He and his dog Brew, part of a team dispatched to locate both protected species and pests, scoured the rough terrain for days in search of the birds, getting “frustratingly close,” but not close enough.
They were sent there on a tip from a hunter who first sighted the little spotted kiwi in March, according to the release.
On Graham and Brew’s final night before getting flown out, in what Graham called their “absolute last chance,” they found the female and collected feathers which verified its identity.
The chance rediscovery of the little spotted kiwi, not seen on the mainland since 1978 both shocked and delighted conservationists.
Little spotted kiwi are the smallest of the five kiwi species, and “are extremely vulnerable to introduced predators,” experts said.
It was believed they only survived at fenced predator-free sites on offshore islands, according to the release.
“Despite years of targeted searching, we hadn’t found them – until now,” Kiwi Recovery Group leader Emily King said. “It was like finding a needle in a haystack.”
“Kiwi pukupuku are one of those unique species which make Aotearoa New Zealand so special,” King added. “I’m not sure how to express how thrilling this rediscovery is for the conservation world!”
Graham and Brew returned to the area and successfully captured the male. The Department of Conservation will work with local tribes to explore protection and management of the birds on the mainland.
The kiwi were found in the Adams Wilderness Area on New Zealand’s west coast. It is about 120 miles west from Christchurch.
This story was originally published July 16, 2025 at 8:01 AM with the headline "‘Little’ creature feared locally extinct for decades rediscovered in New Zealand."
