There are currently around 68,000 kiwi birds left in the wild in New Zealand. However, their population is declining by about 2% annually, which translates to roughly 20 kiwis lost every week due to natural and human-related threats such as introduced predators and habitat loss

. The kiwi population was once estimated at about 12 million but plummeted drastically over the centuries due to habitat destruction and predation by introduced species like stoats, ferrets, and dogs

. Conservation efforts, including predator control and community projects, have helped stabilize and even increase numbers in managed areas, but many kiwi populations outside these areas continue to decline

. There are five species of kiwi, with varying population sizes:

• North Island brown kiwi: about 35,000 individuals (most numerous)
• Great spotted kiwi (roroa): about 16,000
• Little spotted kiwi (kiwi pukapuka): about 1,600, mostly in predator-free reserves
• Southern brown kiwi (tokoeka): around 9,000 fewer than North Island brown kiwi
• Okarito brown kiwi (rowi): about 600, critically endangered

While some species like the North Island brown kiwi have seen population growth due to conservation efforts, others remain vulnerable or critically endangered, highlighting the ongoing need for protection and funding to prevent extinction