, 2006, p. 4). In early New Zealand history, Maori regarded the kiwi bird as the "hidden bird of Tane Mahuta (god of the forest)" which implies to the mysterious and special nature of the kiwi bird behaviours (Wolfe, 1991, cited in Blue, 2010, p. 110). Maori tribes "prized highly the garment (arikiwi)" which means that only Maori chiefs or high-standing natives could wear cloaks or clothing from kiwi feathers (Tregear, 2001, p. 235). The word 'Kiwis' does not just apply to the native bird, but can also represent people living in New Zealand (New Zealanders) since kiwi is a national symbol of New Zealand. 'Kiwi' is also used in New Zealand's sport team names/titles for example 'Kiwi rugby league' and 'All Blacks' players can also be called in short 'kiwis'. Kiwis are also found imprinted on the $1 New Zealand coin. The kiwi icon is also displayed in a variety of products: "Kiwi Bacon, kiwifruit and Kiwi Lager" and Labour 2008 advertising "Kiwibank KiwiSaver KiwiRail KEEP IT KIWI – VOTE LABOUR" (Wolfe, 1991, p. 20; quoted in Blue, 2010, p. 110). Although kiwi birds are small and defenceless, it is highly esteemed and cherished as New Zealand's international icon and symbol for its nationhood.
Kiwis are defenceless, making them an easy target. To avoid predators they come out and hunt at night when most animals are sleeping (Hart, 2002, p. 14). Mammalian predators such as rodents, possums, ferrets, dogs, cats, hedgehogs and pigs can cause competition for the same food source or killing of kiwi eggs, chicks and adults (Hart, 2002, p. 14). Also people harm kiwi's survival by introducing pests, introducing resistant weeds, destroying their habitat through deforestation and draining of wetlands (Wilmshurst, 2012). When a kiwi hatches they are very vulnerable from many predators until they reach 1kg and become stronger, then they are able to survive better; this process from birth to chick takes about one year and 95% of them are killed (Willowbank, n.
