Kiwi champions Kevin and Gill Adshead
Kevin and Gill Adshead, with the support of Ngati Whatua O Kaipara and the local community, have spent years turning 400 hectares of their 1300-hectare Glorit farm into a pest-free haven for kiwi under the umbrella of their Mataia Restoration Project. At this year’s ‘Kiwis for kiwi’ hui in the South Island their efforts were rewarded with the Northland Brown Kiwi Good Egg Award. In accepting the award, they said it was “a real reflection of the wonderful work our kiwi volunteers, trapping volunteers, planting volunteers and family do to protect and grow the kiwi population at Mataia.”
Most nights Gill and Kevin hear the calls of the two kiwi who live near their house. This year a male kiwi has moved into the bush near the house of their daughter Jenny and son-in-law Shane, who also live at Mataia. His calls are heard regularly and, along with another of the birds, he has also put in an appearance in the garden. The last listening evening, where interested groups got the chance to hear kiwi calling, was on July 6.
As part of the ongoing tree planting project, this year’s efforts include the planting of 7500 trees by two Women’s Outdoor Pursuits groups, Hidden Treasures walking group, Meadowbank School, Avondale College, Papatoetoe Intermediate School and Tauhoa School. The last planting day, for the year, was on July 14.
Send inquiries to kgadshead@xtra.co.nz
