Reflections from RotoruaThe Forest Bridge Trust at the 2025 National Kiwi Hui
Five members of The Forest Bridge Trust whānau — Matu, Senior Ecologist Dr Virginia Moreno, Paula and Alex from our Predator Control Team, and Elena — travelled to Rotorua for the 2025 National Kiwi Hui, held from 10–12 June at the Millennium Hotel. They were joined by Trust founders Kevin and Gill Adshead.
Over the three-day hui, more than 200 people from across Aotearoa — including iwi representatives, DOC staff, researchers, and leaders of community-led projects — came together to share knowledge, ideas, and inspiration for the future of kiwi conservation.
While this year’s hui didn’t centre around a single theme, presentations flowed across four key strands: technology, research, communications and engagement, and field-based site summaries. And, as always, it was the people behind the projects who made the hui come alive.
Moments to Remember
A key moment came when legendary ecologist Carolyn King, now in her 80s, announced her final book Stoat in the Dock — a comprehensive overview of her lifetime of research on stoats and their impacts on native fauna. She received a heartfelt standing ovation from the room. For Paula, meeting her was a personal highlight. “She was so generous with her time and so passionate.”
Another standout was a presentation by Whānau ā Apanui and Ngāti Porou, who shared their courageous journey of engagement as part of the Raukūmara Pae Maunga 1080 operation. Rita Ora opened with a sobering observation: 72% of New Zealanders believe our forests are in good health — a statistic echoed within her iwi. Her kōrero spoke to a loss of connection with the mauri of the whenua, and the challenge of restoring both ecological and cultural health.
John Bissell introduced the first-ever national Ferret Trapping Guidelines — an essential resource given the growing threat ferrets pose to kiwi. He also acknowledged the formation of the national Ferret Response Team, of which our own Cam Rathe is a proud member.
The Forest Bridge Trusts Contributions
Co-founders Kevin and Gill Adshead delivered a well-received presentation on the use of ground-based 1080 at Mataia and the community-led engagement that underpinned it. They followed this up by hosting a practical workshop on the topic — sharing lessons learned with other projects facing similar challenges.
The Trust’s Senior Ecologist, Dr Virginia Moreno presented on Day 3, offering a compelling summary of our Jobs for Nature–funded kiwi connectivity project. Her maps and visuals clearly illustrated how TFBT’s work is creating safe corridors linking kiwi populations from the Kaipara Coast to the Pacific. She also shared the story of Maunga the kiwi and how his journey encapsulates the impact of our landscape-scale mahi. The response was overwhelmingly positive — a proud moment for the whole team.
Meanwhile, Paula attended a “Best Practice” workshop led by DOC’s Rogan Colbourne, one of New Zealand’s most experienced kiwi scientists. She brought back practical advice and new insights to strengthen our pest control systems.
Looking to the Future
Save the Kiwi’s Tineke Joustra outlined some impressive progress — including the transfer of 392 kiwi to nine new sites this year (including 20 to Tamahunga), and the development of new tools and resources to support the wider kiwi conservation community. These include:
- A refreshed KAT (Kiwi Avoidance Training) booking app for dog owners
- A Site Readiness Toolkit for potential translocation sites
- Updated Operation Nest Egg Best Practice Manual
- A new Kiwi and Forestry guide
- National signage templates under the Safe Kūri – Safe Kiwi campaign
- And an upcoming online kiwi reporting tool
Like The Forest Bridge Trust, Save the Kiwi is transitioning to a leaner team following the end of Jobs for Nature funding. Yet despite the scaling back, the energy and commitment across the hui was clear: the work continues, and collaboration is more important than ever.
He Waka Eke Noa
From the mihi whakatau to the final waiata, this hui reminded us of the power of connection — between organisations, between people, and most importantly, between people and the land.
Conservation doesn’t happen in silos. It thrives through whanaungatanga, respect, innovation, and the willingness to share and learn.
The Team left Rotorua feeling recharged, humbled, and full of gratitude — for the people they met, the knowledge shared, and the legacy we’re all helping to protect. Together, we’re building a future where kiwi can thrive in the wild — and where our communities remain at the heart of that mission.