Kiwi died from neglect at private sanctuary - inquiry

The Department of Conservation allowed the country's largest privately-owned conservation project to show off kiwi to wealthy tourists without a permit, despite concerns being raised about the welfare of the birds in their care. Complaints to DOC accuse the Cape Sanctuary in Hawke's Bay of putting tourist dollars ahead of the health of kiwi. At the same time, an inquiry into the deaths of several Little Spotted Kiwi at the sanctuary two summers ago has revealed they died from neglect.