Warning: This story contains images that might upset some people.
A "significant dog predation event" in Northland has resulted in the devastating deaths of 14 kiwis in the past three months, six of which in the last two weeks.
The Department of Conservation (DoC) is "devastated" after six kiwis were mauled to death by suspected roaming dogs in the Bay of Islands' Opua Conservation Area.
"There are trail cameras in the area and these have seen two dogs."
A DoC spokesperson said it is working with Save the Kiwi, other community groups and agencies on the recent deaths.
Save the Kiwi say everything they're seeing and hearing points to the killers being "wandering local dogs".
"They've gotten a taste for kiwi, and they're returning to the same place over multiple nights to hunt," said a spokesperson.
They say the Opua Conservation Area is estimated to have about 22 kiwis living on the land, but in the last 12 months, 10 kiwis have been found dead.
"This is a recovering population which was only showing positive results due to the incredible dedication from Bay Bush Action. It is now possible that at least half, if not most, of the local population in area has been wiped out."
Bay Bush Action volunteer Brad Windust said he and the team have spent 12 years and countless hours working to build the kiwi numbers up.
"To have this happen is shocking," Windust said.
"It rips my heart out; they're like our children, and we feel such a responsibility to look after them."
DoC said the deaths will be "felt hard" across the community and pleaded with local dog owners to use a lead if walking their dogs at night or after work.
"Always keep your dog contained at night."
Windust said when Bay Bush Action was founded in 2011, "no kiwi were head in this area, not one".
"You can imagine the excitement when we first heard a call! One by one, year after year, they have slowly increased until there were at least 22 birds. It’s terrifying to think how quickly that painstaking work can be undone through careless dog ownership."
