A North Island brown kiwi has managed to squeeze its way into a Bay of Islands woman's hen house, cuddling up to get some shut eye.
"Waipapa local, Jane, was checking on her chickens when she noticed the intruder, a North Island brown kiwi, taking a nap next to one of her chooks," the Department of Conversation (DoC) said in statement on Facebook.
People are more regularly reporting such kiwi sightings in the Northland region, largely due to intensive predator control reviving population numbers, the statement said.
"According to Jane, the chickens were surprisingly chill about their visitor and seemed to be open to the new company," DoC said.
"The kiwi also seemed very relaxed in its new sleeping spot and even took a little stroll around Jane's property before returning for another nap in the hen house.
"It has since bid farewell to its chicken friends and departed, hopefully back into the native bush haven surrounding Jane's property."
DoC urged people living in kiwi areas to keep cats and dogs under control by keeping them inside, leashed or in a kennel.
Anyone who finds a kiwi in trouble should call 0800 DOC HOT.
