Kiwi
The People's Bird

Neville Peat

Key Points

• Only current book on New Zealand's national bird
• Up-to-date research and conservation stories
• Written for a general audience
• Well illustrated and printed in colour
• Covers kiwi nature, kiwi plight and kiwi renaissance

The Book

Back in 1990, when Neville Peat wrote The Incredible Kiwi, the national bird was in retreat, from habitat loss and the severe impact of predation. It was not well understood, being nocturnal and hidden in the forest. Most Kiwis had never seen their national bird.

During the 1990s, saving the kiwi became a popular cause. Community kiwi conservation projects have emerged all over the country, especially in the North Island. And scientific research has led to greater knowledge of the bird's population dynamics and distribution. The kiwi has truly become 'the people's bird'.

In this book, the author describes the kiwi from every point of view, from wild bird to national emblem. What is this biological oddity called the kiwi? Exactly how many species of kiwi are there? Where do they live? What do they eat? How are people helping them to survive? Why does this bird have such a major place in the Kiwi nation's life?

And he tells the story of the largest popular movement in support of an endangered native species that New Zealand has ever seen.

Review Quotes

'...the recovery of the kiwi is ... inspiring. The game is long and hard and it hasn't yet been won, but we are all in the team and there is good reason for hope.' – Wairarapa Times

'Peat ... comes away feeling cautiously optimistic about the future of New Zealand's national bird, thanks to an upsurge in community support and participation in local projects. The book covers all aspects of kiwi life, including an update on population genetics' – Dominion Post  

Contents

1 Iconic and Eccentric
2 Kiwi Nature
3 The Plight of the Kiwi
4 The People's Bird
5 Operation Nest Egg
6 Early Bird
7 National Emblem
8 Captive Kiwis
9 Kiwi Comeback
Acknowledgements
References

Author

Neville Peat has written many books on New Zealand natural history and other subjects, including the prize-winning Wild series with Brian Patrick. His most recent book is Hurricane Tim: The Story of Sir Tim Wallis.

Publication details

Natural history, Environment
paperback with flaps, 255 x 190 mm, 208 pages approx, printed in colour
ISBN-10 1 877372 36 6, ISBN-13 978 1 877372 36 0, $45.00
Illustrations: Colour illustrations throughout
Publication date: November 2006