Ten little spotted kiwis are being moved to the Hauraki Gulf on Saturday.
The birds will be released on Motuihe Island, as part of a project to increase their population.
They will be transferred from Kapiti Island, which has an estimated 1200 birds.
Motuihe Trust chairman John Laurence says the sanctuary will be an ideal home for them to grow and breed.
Eventually 40 will be freed there. The island is 30 minutes by boat from downtown Auckland.
