New Zealand conservation efforts revive black robin and kiwi populations

New Zealand is seeing significant success in avian conservation efforts. The black robin, which was once the world’s rarest bird with only five individuals remaining in 1980, has rebounded to approximately 350 birds in 2025. This recovery was achieved through a breeding program on the Chatham Islands that utilized other species to foster the robins’ eggs. The species was recently named New Zealand’s Bird of the Year.

In a separate conservation milestone, more than 250 kiwi have been translocated to the hills surrounding Wellington. This marks the first time in 150 years that kiwi have lived in the region. The Capital Kiwi Project achieved this through a community and iwi-led initiative involving the removal of predators like stoats using over 5,300 traps across 24,000 hectares. The project emphasizes relational conservation, working closely with Māori nations and local landowners to ensure the long-term survival of the species.