New name for special kiwi
Mahinepua kiwi Josephine now has a name to call her partner – Gunslinger.
The auction to name him was won by John and Helen Owens, who are long-time supporters of the Mahinepua-Radar Hill Landcare Group who organised the TradeMe auction.
The spritely bird had been named 43 up until the auction.
John says they wanted to choose a name that would reflect the ongoing fight that the landcare group wages against pests and predators in the area.
‘‘Gunslinger looks like he’s got the right attitude for the job and we look forward to the reports of his success as he struts his stuff in the bush.’’
Funds raised will go towards pest control by the group.
The auction package includes an overnight stay and breakfast at the luxurious Waiwurrie Coastal Farm Lodge at Mahinepua, a $25 voucher for a box of Makana Macadamia Butter Toffee Crunch, a framed certificate, and a framed portrait of the adult male kiwi.
His former name 43 related to his transmitter’s channel number that allows the group’s chairman Doug Jane to monitor his activity.
Particularly of interest to Jane is whether he was successfully hatching chicks with his mate Josephine.
‘‘Gunslinger looks like he’s got the right attitude for the job’’
John Owens