By Gianina Schwanecke, producer
Established in 1843, Terawhiti Station has seen many changes over its 180-year history - the most recent being the re-introduction of kiwi to the hills surrounding this 4800-hectare property on Wellington's southwest coast.
The kiwi release is the culmination of a project several years in the making.
It's here that the first of 138 kiwi were released in 2022 as part of the Capital Kiwi Project.
There are over 1000 traps on the farm - just part of the 4600 or so set across the 24,000-hectare stretch of land which underpins the project.
It's a partnership between private landowners, tangata whenua and local communities determined to do their bit for New Zealand's national bird.
A kiwi sign opposite the Terawhiti woolshed. Photo: Gianina Schwanecke / Country Life
Michael Grace, a shareholder and director of Terawhiti Station, had known the project's founder Paul Ward for many years.
When first approached with the idea, his reaction was one of surprise. "Who wouldn't want kiwi in their backyard?"
Grace, a descendant of James McMenamen who took over the farm in 1847, grew up on the property near the rural Wellington settlement of Mākara.
"Having native flora and fauna back on the property is really exciting because we want to leave the property in a better space than I grew up with ... and the reintroduction of kiwi is a good step towards that."
Watch out for kiwi signs placed along Mākara's roads near the station. Photo: Gianina Schwanecke / Country Life
He's proud of the project's progress within a short time frame - the first kiwi chicks hatched on the farm late last year.
"In four, five years, we've got a burgeoning population. In the kiwi conservation world that is lightspeed."
Farm manager Guy Parkinson admits he was sceptical at the start, though he and his wife, Carolyn, have always been "environmentalists at heart".
He believes the kiwi aren't the only things to have benefited from the project; the swathes of regenerating bush on the steep hills are good for other bird life, too.
Decoy kiwi on pully systems are set up as part of the training to deter dogs. Photo: Gianina Schwanecke / Country Life
Parkinson says having kiwi on the property has been "pretty seamless", fitting in with the farm operation.
"When I started here 15 years ago, it was almost like a blank canvas."
"Cattle here were virtually a feral mob of wild cattle and we only had about 270 wild sheep when I started. So, yeah, it's completely different, a complete transformation."
Guy Parkinson with his team of work dogs who have also been put through the kiwi avoidance training. Photo: Gianina Schwanecke / Country Life
Back then, stock-proof fencing was non-existent and there were no serviceable yards or woolshed. Parkinson reckons he helped put in about 90km worth of fencing, and clear about 2000ha of scrub weeds.
Livestock - some 850 cows and 2000 Wiltshire sheep - now graze alongside the regenerating bush. There are also hundreds of feral goats on the property, which are mustered up and sold off.
The kiwi avoidance training session is run through a small section of bush where dogs are tested on their interest in kiwi through senses like scent and sight. Photo: Gianina Schwanecke / Country Life
It's part of a diverse farm operation, with nine income streams including carbon farming, tourism, beekeeping, diving and rental accommodation.
"It's a huge advantage to us," Parkinson said. "Not only does it give us a very diverse income ... it really helps with the cashflow. We have income coming in throughout much of the year."
The wind farm - the catalyst for the farm's redevelopment - makes up a significant part of the farm's income.
"It blows most of the year round and [the area is] well-known for its wind. The wind farm is great - not only the income from it, but it's given us a good road network which helps with the farming."
The roads have also helped with setting and maintaining the trap lines and are part of the farm's "low labour input" strategy.
The property is able to be run just by Parkinson and his shepherd, Ross Johnston.
Ross Johnston (left) and Guy Parkinson (right) of Terawhiti Station, have worked with renowned trainer Willy Marsh (centre), to make sure their working dogs avoid kiwi on the farm. Photo: Gianina Schwanecke / Country Life
The arrival of kiwi means a bit more coordination with other people on the property as part of conservation efforts, and also kiwi avoidance training for farm dogs, which seems to be working "really well".
"There's a bit of coordination with that, but really the kiwi look after themselves," Johnston said.
Originally from Scotland, he says it's a privilege to be on a property with so much going on.
"[It's] pretty special to be down in a gully on the farm, moving stock, and then all of a sudden you hear a kiwi cry out."
Obi, the Huntaway-Rottweiler mix, takes part in the kiwi avoidance training. Photo: Gianina Schwanecke / Country Life
Want to learn more about the Capital Kiwi Project? Check back in next week, when Country Life heads out with the team to hopefully hear a few kiwi on the farm.
