I have been very fortunate to have several close encounters with New Zealands national icon. The Whakatane Kiwi Trust uses this image on tee shirts and sign writing to promote the North Island brown Kiwi that live in the Ohope reserve. Because of the close proximity to urban environments and the incredible volunteer work that goes into helping them thrive, Whakatane is now known as the Kiwi capital of the world!