The dead kiwi have been found at Wharengaere Bay in the northern Bay of Islands. Photo: RNZ / Peter de Graaf
Warning: This story contains graphic images.
The Department of Conservation is calling on dog owners - and "all organisations involved" - to lift their game after a spate of kiwi killings in one small area of the Bay of Islands.
Last weekend, RNZ revealed nine kiwi had died at Wharengaere Bay on the Purerua Peninsula since late January, with most showing injuries consistent with dog attacks.
Four of the strictly protected birds died in just three days, between 6 and 8 March.
DOC Bay of Islands operations manager Bronwyn Bauer-Hunt said the deaths were "devastating".
"This situation needs urgent action. Kiwi are a taonga species found only in Aotearoa, and if they disappear from here, they're gone forever. Dog owners and all organisations involved must take their responsibilities seriously," she said.
One of the kiwi found dead at Wharengaere Bay. Photo: Supplied/DOC
Bauer-Hunt said DOC rangers met Far North District Council staff last month to discuss roaming dogs at Wharengaere Bay.
Under the Dog Control Act, only the council had the authority to enter private property and seize dogs suspected of attacking kiwi, she said.
RNZ understands conservation groups have lodged complaints with the council about dogs roaming in the area since mid-2025.
They had also captured trail-cam footage identifying specific wandering dogs.
However, the council earlier told RNZ it had received reports of the nine kiwi deaths, but DOC had not been able to attribute the killings to particular dogs.
Bauer-Hunt said DOC had been working closely with Kiwi Coast, a community-led conservation initiative, to examine the kiwi, collect DNA samples where possible, and record details of each case.
All kiwi in good enough condition would undergo a post-mortem examination to determine the cause of death.
Some of the carcasses were also being tested for canine DNA.
One of the kiwi found dead at Wharengaere Bay. Photo: Supplied/DOC
Bauer-Hunt urged people living in kiwi zones to keep their dogs under control at all times, but especially at night.
She said anyone with information about uncontrolled dogs in the Far North should call the council on 0800 920 029 or DOC on 0800 DOC HOT.
It's not the first spate of kiwi deaths at Wharengaere Bay.
The deaths of six birds in 2019 led to a rare prosecution and the destruction of a dog.
The owner was convicted and ordered to pay $300 in reparations.
