A Tokoeka, also known as the Southern Brown Kiwi, from the Haast region has surprised conservation workers with laying two eggs this season, which is uncommon for the species.

Devon Collins from the West Coast Wildlife Centre, which helps to incubate and hatch Kiwis that are at risk to predators, said Tokoeka usually lay one egg per year due to the low food availability in the colder climate of the South Island. In comparison to the North Island Brown Kiwi, which can lay three to four eggs per a year.

He said the centre received three Tokoeka eggs this season, including two from the same mother.

Collins said the first egg from this mother was the second smallest Tokoeka they've ever successfully bred at the centre in 15 years, weighing 320 grams. Her second egg weighed 360 grams.

While there are tens of thousands of Tokoeka on Stewart Island and in Fiordland, the Haast region has a much smaller population of around 400, said Collins.

"Every egg means a lot, every egg we can get our of hands on and get out of the hands of introduced predators, that would otherwise probably take that egg or that chick, is really important for us, so the difference between two and three eggs coming in per season is pretty massive," said Collins.

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