Today’s photo, of a Stewart Island tokoeka kiwi, celebrates Save Kiwi Week (14 – 20 October).
Tokoeka – literally meaning “weka with a walking stick” (Ngai Tahu) has four geographically and genetically distinct forms—Haast, northern Fiordland, southern Fiordland and Stewart Island.
The Stewart Island tokoeka are unusual among kiwi for being active during the daytime, as you can see in this photo taken by Alina Thiebes.
Stewart Island/Rakiura is probably the easiest place to observe kiwi in the wild, where some 20,000 still survive.
You can find out more about Save Kiwi Week and how you can help to protect kiwi on the Kiwis for kiwi website.
