Northwest Rakiura Circuit

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Max and I decided to go for the 125 km Northwest Circuit track on Stewart in Rakiura National Park in an effort to come across the Brown kiwi. We were told there was a good chance we would see one. Others told us only 10% of those who do this tramp actually get to see a kiwi. On the third day we heard some rustling and a big heafty kiwi took off, but only Max really got a good look at it. I was beginning to lose hope that I would actually see one. Other trampers were making it sound like the kiwi were out in flocks, but even at night during prime foraging hours, I had no luck. One morning, on the beginning of a long day, I heard something off the trail and sure enough there was a kiwi at 8:45 am just doing its thing! What happened next was a surprise. The kiwi didn't seem to mind our presence, and even had the audacity to walk across the track right in front of us. I was able to get out the camera and film the bird sniffing the understory for insects and worms. It truly was a great experience and we felt fortunate to watch this bizzare bird upclose.

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