In a significant win for conservation, the kiwi population has expanded from Wainuiomata to Upper Hutt. Released in Remutaka Forest Park in 2006, the population now exceeds 200. Pat van Berkel from Predator Free Upper Hutt confirmed kiwis in Whitemans Valley and emphasized the need for a kiwi safety plan to address threats from dogs and cats. This plan will include predator trapping and kiwi aversion training for dogs, seeking council support. Acoustic tests and local reports have verified their presence, with one person claiming to hear the call of the kiwi as early as 2021.
