Call count responses of North Island brown kiwi to different levels of predator control in Northland, New Zealand Original Research Article

North Island brown kiwi have been monitored by a standard call count index at 23 stations in Northland, New Zealand annually since 1995. An attempt is made here to determine whether there are any trends in call counts that relate to predator control and advocacy in and around each listening station. Both predator and advocacy effort were rated on a 0–3 scale at each of 23 listening stations, and kiwi calling rates analysed on a generalised linear model. An analysis of variance (ANOVA) indicated a positive response of call counts to predator control. There was a weaker relationship with advocacy, but because predator control and advocacy are correlated, it was not possible to separate their effects. Ground moisture levels had a significant positive effect on calls, while wind and rain had negative effects. Overall, the analysis suggested that this kind of management is benefitting kiwi in Northland.