The Department of Conservation (DoC) says hundreds of kiwi in a sanctuary near Whangarei are under threat from two dogs on the loose.
The dogs were seen on Tuesday by a resident in the Aponga area, near the Rarewarewa Reserve, home to about 300 kiwi.
DoC says hunters searched the area until dark but could not find the dogs, and fears they could do enormous damage in a short time.
The department says kiwi in other regions live to between 45 and 60 years while in Northland, because of dogs, they live on average to age 14.
