Anahera is a kiwi who was born in 1979. Her and her brother were found by forestry workers when they were clearing trees. They were both taken to the Ōtorohanga Kiwi House where Anahera lived for 43 years!

The volunteers looked after her and other kiwi in the Kiwi House, and Anahera soon caught the attention of a male kiwi named Rongo. Together, this kiwi couple had over 30 chicks!

Anahera had two more suitors while she was at the Ōtorohanga Kiwi House, having even more chicks. Anahera stayed fit and strong, even if she did miss her partners when they were released into the wild.

When Anahera had raised more than 60 chicks, a group called Capital Kiwi came with an idea to reintroduce kiwi to the wild in the hills around Wellington. After much discussion, an extensive pest control program by locals, landowners and iwi, and the kiwi’s transport to land above Raukawa Moana (Cook Strait), Anahera and other kiwi were released into the wild in 2022.

The volunteers at Ōtorohanga Kiwi House knew that Anahera was calm, determined and strong and would be able to look after herself in her new home away from home.

This sumptuously illustrated narrative non-fiction is told in the point of view of a young girl, and the tales of a young kiwi by her kuia. Her kuia was a teenage volunteer at the Ōtorohanga Kiwi House when Anahera arrived and was named.

The story then shows young readers Anahera’s life as she grows, meets male kiwi and raises chicks. The story effortlessly allows readers to learn some kiwi behaviours and also the work carried out at the Kiwi House. Speech bubbles help share the tale, as the girl grows and her kuia ages.

In the last pages of this beautiful picture book, there are coloured spheres of information about Anahera and her astounding life and motherhood of over 60 chicks. Some of which have gone on to zoos or been released in sanctuaries or the wild.

A stunning NZ story of an amazing bird only New Zealand can call their own – from a multi-award winning author and illustrator.

Ruth Paul is a local participant in Capital Kiwi’s project. Her own property has predator proof fencing and hosts wild kiwi.

Author/Illustrator – Ruth Paul

Picture Book

Non-Fiction

Learn more about the Ōtorohanga Kiwi House here

Learn more about the Capital Kiwi Project here

(2025, Penguin Random House NZ, Aotearoa New Zealand, Kiwi, Birds, Icon, Breeding program, Wellington, Ōtorohanga Kiwi House, Volunteers, Real Life)