If you’re looking for a reason to jump on a bike and explore the Clyde to Alexandra trail this April, here’s a good one: there are kiwi everywhere. Well, sculpture kiwi, but they’re pretty spectacular. These Kiwi have been on a kiwi journey throughout New Zealand to raise awareness for their conservation.
The Kiwi Art Trail 2026 has landed in Central Otago, and the sculptures are spread along the Alexandra to Clyde River Track and the Otago Central Rail Trail from the 1st to 26th of April. Each one has been individually transformed by a New Zealand artist, so no two are the same. It’s a free, family-friendly event that celebrates our national icon and supports kiwi conservation efforts.
We’re so excited to be hosting one ourselves. The “Eye of the Kiwi” sculpture sits right here with us in Clyde.
A perfect day out for families
The Clyde to Alexandra loop is one of those rides that pretty much everyone can do. It’s undulates, it’s scenic, and it’s well suited to families on bikes. Adding a kiwi hunt into the mix makes it even better. Kids who might otherwise need a bit of coaxing onto the bike tend to find a scavenger hunt a pretty compelling reason to keep pedaling. Pack a picnic, take your time between sculptures, and you’ve got a full day sorted.
A downloadable map is available at kiwiarttrail.nz so you can plan your route and tick them off as you go.
Why kiwi conservation matters
Standing in front of one of these sculptures is a good moment to talk about the real birds, and the story is both extraordinary and urgent.
New Zealand is home to more species of flightless birds than any other country in the world. Kiwi, kākāpō, takahē, penguins, weka, the list goes on. The reason? Before humans arrived about 1,000 years ago, there were no land mammals that preyed on birds, so kiwi and other flightless birds could safely forage on the forest floor, living and nesting on the ground. Flying takes a lot of energy. When the ground is safe, why bother?
The arrival of people changed everything. It’s estimated that prior to humans arriving in New Zealand, kiwi populations were around 12 million, and their numbers only dropped below one million in the early-to-mid 1900s. Today there are about 70,000 kiwi left, and we’re losing around 2% of unmanaged kiwi every year. That’s roughly 20 birds a week.
The main culprits are introduced predators. Stoats are responsible for approximately half of kiwi chick deaths on the mainland, and without active management, only 10% of kiwi chicks survive to six months old. Dogs are a serious threat to adult birds too. Kiwi have no sternum bone, making them particularly vulnerable to crushing injuries, and even a playful push from a dog can be enough to cause serious harm.
The good news is that active conservation works. In areas where predators are being controlled, kiwi numbers are increasing. On the Coromandel, for example, the population is doubling every decade thanks to intensive predator control.
Five species, all worth knowing about
Most people don’t realise there are actually five distinct species of kiwi in New Zealand: the North Island Brown Kiwi, Great Spotted Kiwi, Little Spotted Kiwi, Rowi, and Tokoeka. The rarest is the Okarito Brown Kiwi (Rowi), only recognised as a distinct species in the 1990s, with fewer than 600 remaining today. The Great Spotted Kiwi is found in the mountains of the top of the South Island, which makes it our closest neighbour of the five. Take a look at our article about the Giant Moa that used to roam Central Otago. Lets not let the Kiwi go extinct like the moa.
Come find our kiwi
The “Eye of the Kiwi” is waiting for you in Clyde. Whether you’re doing the full loop or just popping in for a day ride, we’d love to help you make a day of it. We can sort the bikes, work out a route that takes in as many sculptures as you can manage, and point you in the right direction.
The event runs until 26 April, so don’t leave it too late.