Kiwis not native to New Zealand, originally immigrated from Australia: Experts

New research reveals that several species long believed to be native to New Zealand, including the kiwi, moa, and takahē, are actually relatively recent immigrants from Australia.

Palaeontologists excavating the St Bathans fossil site in Central Otago have discovered that these birds arrived only a few million years ago, challenging the long-held belief that they were ancient New Zealanders.

Paul Scofield, senior curator of natural history at Canterbury Museum, explained that while species like the kākāpō are truly ancient New Zealand natives,

DNA evidence shows that the kiwi and moa diverged from animals in Gondwana, South America, and Madagascar much more recently—around 30 to 40 million years ago.

The St Bathans site has also uncovered remarkable fauna, including two species of crocodiles and an assortment of bats, one of which was possibly secondarily flightless.

This excavation has been ongoing for 23 years, and the team continues to find new species by piecing together individual bones. The discoveries are shedding light on the fascinating and bizarre wildlife that once inhabited New Zealand.