Taupō’s Crombie Lockwood Kiwi Burrow has again cracked the ton.

On the evening of Good Friday, the 100th kiwi of the 2020/21 season hatched at the kiwi incubation facility just north of Taupō.

In early February the 77th kiwi to hatch at the Wairakei burrow during the 2020/21 season became the 100th chick to hatch since the dedicated kiwi incubation, hatching and brooding facility started operating in October 2019.

This season’s 100th chick, weighing in at a healthy 344g, will be named by Ngāti Maru in Taranaki which is where the egg was found in the wild.

Burrow husbandry manager Helen McCormick said the season had been “huge” for the team, with the number of kiwi eggs and chicks to care for.

“We’re so happy to welcome the 100th,” McCormick said.

The anticipation of the hatch had been building over the last month, she said, and that the significant milestone was celebrated at Easter was an extra special touch.

The Crombie Lockwood Kiwi Burrow, located within the grounds of the Wairakei Golf and Sanctuary, is part of Kiwis for kiwi’s Operation Nest Egg (ONE) kōhanga strategy, where eggs are lifted from the wild and transported to the burrow and other incubation facilities.

Kiwi chicks hatch and are raised to around four weeks of age before being released into predator-free kōhanga kiwi sites.

Kiwis for kiwi executive director Michelle Impey said cracking the elusive 100 in one season was a momentous milestone that made the work of multiple parties and partners worth it.

“Kiwi conservation and the work that occurs at the burrow relies on a truly collaborative approach between many people and organisations, and we’re privileged that so many people support the mahi that we and the projects we support put into this important cause.”

Carl O’Shea, the chief executive officer of Crombie Lockwood, felt it exciting to play an important part in the future of kiwi conservation.

“Less than two years into the Kiwi Burrow journey, we are very proud to directly contribute to the future of Aotearoa’s national icon.”

As for the newest chick to hatch at the burrow, his (or her – no one will know until genetic testing is carried out) immediate future revolves around eating and putting on weight.

In about a month, the chick will join the founder population of kiwi at the predator-free Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari.

Eventually they’ll find a mate and start breeding, and in the future their offspring will be uplifted from the sanctuary and released into safe spaces to create new or boost existing kiwi populations.

Credit;Stuff.co.nz