- A citizen-led initiative, the Capital Kiwi Project, is successfully reintroducing New Zealand's national bird, the kiwi, to Wellington's hills after an absence of over a century.
- The project recently celebrated a significant milestone with the release of seven more kiwi, bringing the total relocated to Wellington to 250 birds.
- Before their release, the shy, nocturnal birds were brought into New Zealand's Parliament for a celebration, allowing politicians and schoolchildren to see them up close.
- Historically, kiwi numbers have plummeted from an estimated 12 million to around 70,000 nationwide, declining by 2 per cent annually, making conservation efforts crucial.
- The initiative involves creating a 24,000-hectare protected area with over 5,000 stoat traps, resulting in a 90 per cent chick survival rate and contributing to New Zealand's goal of eradicating introduced predators by 2050.
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