Butterfly Creek greets kiwi arrivals

Two northern brown kiwi, Tapu and Ipo, have been welcomed into their new state-of-the-art nocturnal home at Butterfly Creek in Manukau.

Kiwi House manager Rebecca Moyle (pictured) said Kiwi Forest, an interactive exhibit with a nocturnal house as the main attraction, had been a year in the making and would cater to the pair’s every need.

“It includes special lighting, heating and a wonderful night forest environment for them to exhibit their natural behaviour.”

Further into the exhibit, visitors would find themselves in a cave with glow worms and a giant weta.

Butterfly Creek managing director John Dowsett said the new exhibit was significant.

“Being part of the conservation programme for the northern brown kiwi is extremely satisfying. It also ties in nicely with the giant weta captive rear and release programme which we established back in 2009.”

The Kiwi Forest will also include five “gorgeous” Asian small-clawed otters, due to arrive in November. Watch the video at nzherald.co.nz