Causes of kiwi mortality in Northland

194 kiwi deaths reported in Northland between 1990 and June 1995 were caused primarily by dogs, indicating that the "Waitangi dog incident" of 1987 was not an isolated instance. Over the five and a half year period, dogs accounted for 135 (70%) of all reported kiwi deaths and 78% of all deaths for which the precise cause was established. The second greatest cause of death was vehicles (12; 6% of deaths). Although the data were biased against more cryptic predators, e.g. cats and mustelids, the figures nevertheless represent an alarming impact by dogs. Several categories of dog figured prominently, particularly stray/feral dogs and pet dogs, but farm dogs and hunters' dogs also killed many birds.