DOC urges dog owners to act after nine kiwi killed

Date:  19 March 2025

“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.”

“These recent kiwi deaths are devastating, and we need everyone to play their part in protecting our native wildlife,” says Bronwyn BauerHunt, DOC Operations Manager for the Bay of Islands.

The first dead kiwi was reported to DOC on 29 January 2025, followed by two more on 11 February. Between 12 February and 9 March, another six kiwi were found dead. All were found on private land. Some of the carcasses were badly decomposed, making it difficult to determine the exact cause of death, but several were fresh enough to be tested for canine DNA.

DOC rangers met with Far North District Council (FNDC) staff on 14 February, to discuss the best approaches to address uncontrolled dogs in the immediate area. Under the Dog Control Act, only FNDC has the authority to enter private property on reasonable grounds, and seize dogs suspected of attacking kiwi.

DOC has been working closely with Kiwi Coast a community-led, collaborative conservation initiative in Northland, to examine the kiwi, collect DNA samples where possible, and record details of each case. All kiwi in good enough condition will undergo a post-mortem examination to determine the cause of death.

These latest deaths add to a concerning trend. Dogs are the leading cause of kiwi deaths, and in past incidents, they have been responsible for multiple kiwi fatalities across Northland, leading to prosecutions. In 2019, a single roaming dog killed at least six kiwi near Whangārei, resulting in a prosecution and a fine for the owner.

In 2021, another case in the Bay of Islands saw a dog owner fined after their pet was linked to the deaths of several kiwi. These cases highlight the serious consequences of failing to control dogs in kiwi habitat.

"We urge all dog owners in kiwi zones to be responsible. Keep your dogs under control at all times, especially at night. If you live in or near kiwi habitat, the safest option is to keep your dog contained or inside when not supervised," says Bronwyn.

Anyone with information about uncontrolled dogs in the area is encouraged to contact FNDC 0800 920 029 or DOC 0800 DOC HOT.

Contact