Keepers at the National Kiwi Hatchery are thrilled to announce the arrival of a kiwi chick.

The hatchery, based at Rainbow Springs Nature Park in Rotorua, confirm that the newborn chick is the offspring of a male bird named Tahi, the first kiwi chick born at the hatchery in 1987.

While in residence at the National Kiwi Hatchery, Tahi sired 20 chicks and fostered about 16 eggs. He was released into Ōtanewainuku Forest, Bay of Plenty in 2017. Upon his release the team hoped Tahi would establish a territory, find a mate and incubate more eggs in the wild.

'The team at the Ōtanewainuku Kiwi Trust have kindly kept us up to date with Tahi's progress and they've invited us to Tahi's health checks and egg lifts, which has been wonderful,” says National Kiwi Hatchery manager Emma Bean.

'Unfortunately, it took him a while to find a female and her first three eggs were not viable, so receiving two viable eggs from him earlier last month was incredibly exciting.

'Everyone at the Hatchery knows Tahi and we are just so pleased he has started his own family and that we have the privilege to look after his next generation.”

The hatchery state that the chick is doing well, eating and gaining weight. Each day their health check will coincide with one of the hatchery tours, so some lucky visitors will be able to see this extra special chick. The second egg is due to hatch over the April school holidays.

Kids can visit the hatchery free during the April school holidays when they bring in completed colouring competition. Entries are available from the National Kiwi Hatchery website.