Apteryx

Named Apteryx, the balloon was launched with a four-pound payload consisting of sensors, an open-source microcontroller called Arduino and consumer-grade cameras.

From Knock-Offs To 'Make-Offs' 2010

The nocturnal North Island kiwi (Apteryx australis mantelli) can be found in these forests, and New Zealand's forest birds were once abundant.

Northland temperate kauri forests 2008

More than 56 bird species have been recorded in the park including brown kiwi Apteryx australis, kaka Nestor meridionalis, blue duck Hymenolaimus malacorhynchus and North Island fern bird Bowdleria punctata vealeae.

Tongariro National Park, New Zealand 2008

Introduction of exotic species has contributed to the threatened status of the greater spotted kiwi (Apteryx haastii), pictured here.

Biological diversity in New Zealand 2008

All four species of kiwi are also threatened: tokoeka (Apteryx australis, VU), great spotted kiwi (Apteryx haastii, VU), brown kiwi (Apteryx mantelli, EN), and little spotted kiwi (Apertyx owenii, VU).

Biological diversity in New Zealand 2008

The relatively unmodified uplands are a stronghold for many bird species like the great spotted kiwi (Apteryx haastii VU) and blue duck (Hymenolaimus malacorhynchos VU), now gone from more modified lowland areas.

Nelson Coast temperate forests 2008

Key fauna protection programs run by the Department of Conservation in the area focus on species present on the predator-free islands, including tuatara, native frogs, kakapo (Strigops habroptilus CR), the endangered takahe (Porphyrio mantelli), and little spotted kiwi (Apteryx owenii VU).

Richmond temperate forests 2008

Westland's large areas of protected and relatively unmodified forest make it a center for avian diversity; as well as the more common forest species like tui (Prosthemadera novaseelandiae) and fantail (Rhipidura fuliginosa) there are around 28 species of threatened birds within the region including the endemic Okarito brown kiwi (Apteryx mantelli EN) and, in South Westland, the Haast brown kiwi or tokoeka (Apteryx australis VU).

Westland temperate forests 2008

Two of the North Island's largest populations of brown kiwi (Apteryx australis VU) and blue duck (Hymenolaimus malacorhynchos VU) can still be found in the central and eastern mountain ranges.

Northland temperate forests 2008

As a result, bird populations on Rakiura fared much better than those on the neighboring South Island, and flightless birds like the Stewart Island kiwi (Apteryx australis lawryi) are still found here.

Rakiura Island temperate forests 2008