Kiwi are endemic to New Zealand. They have unique characteristics including nostrils positioned at the end of their long bill, vestigial wings with no practical function, no external tail, and the production of one of the largest known eggs in relation to body size for birds. The kiwi has been described as the most un-birdlike bird in the world, having many traits closer to mammalian species than birds, including the presence of bone marrow, lowered body temperature, hair-like feathers, facial bristles and an acute sense of smell.
The North Island Brown Kiwi was once common throughout the North Island. Sadly by 2008 the population was estimated to be only approximately 25,000 and reducing by 4% per year with 1,000 on the Coromandel Peninsula, and the remainder evenly split between the Northland, Eastern and Western taxa.
Near Wellington protected populations are being reared on Kapiti Island, the Karori Wildlife Sanctuary and Long Island in the Marlborough Sounds.
Females stand about 40 cm (16 in) high and weigh about 2.8 kg (6.2 lb) the males about 2.2 kg (4.9 lb). The plumage is streaky red-brown and spiky. The North Island brown kiwi is the only species of kiwi found internationally in zoos.
Five ‘Kiwi Chick’ travel bugs are being released in North America in April 2015 on a race back here - their home cache.
An easy access point is via the car park by Khandallah Pool. Please note there is a school and play ground near by. This car park can be very busy with parents picking up and dropping off children, and for access to the numerous walkways on Mt Kaukau. Access through the park and then follow the trail a short distance into the bush.
The cache is over the bridge on your left if you entered through the park, and then off to your right. It is about 10m South of the stream where the ground has a slight incline. You do not need to climb any of the steep banks.
Watch out for muggles - this is a very popular track for walking, running and dog exercise.
The area has sketchy GPS coverage so allow a little latitude - coordinates have been checked with several devices and give ± 3m once allowed time to settle.
The cache is a 375ml screw top jar with room for small trackables but bring your own pen.
The hint below has two parts - the first is a description of what to look for, and the second (which you will need to decode manually) details the location exactly.