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This programme features a talk by A.P. Harper who worked with naturalist and bushman, Charles Douglas. He studied the bird extensively between 1893-95 in South Westland while working with Douglas.
He says 60 years ago there were two species of kiwi in that region: the small grey kiwi which is still found there, although scarce, and a larger bird, the roa [roroa] which he never saw clearly but heard near their camps in the Waiho country. It had a deeper call and has not been seen or heard for many years and he believes it may be nearly extinct. Douglas found this variety plentiful near Okarito and the Arawhata and Waiatoto river districts in the 1880s.
He says the birds can be kept in captivity and will cease being nocturnal. He describes one which lived in a friend's garden in Christchurch and was useful for catching insects. He then describes eating kiwi while on expeditions, but says the meat has an unpleasant smell and taste so it was only eaten as a last resort. He explains how to pluck and cook kiwi and says he once made a hat from kiwi skin.
Douglas told him there was once a third species of kiwi in South Westland, a 'giant' variety which he only saw once, when he killed and ate a pair of birds. He says he regretted doing so once he realised how rare the find was, but he was starving as he had fallen and hurt his ankle and was unable to hunt for other birds.
Harper ends by commenting on the apparent stupidity of the kiwi and questioning why it has become New Zealand's national emblem. He compares it unfavourably with other countries' national birds or animals and says the weka or kea would have been much better choices, but concludes it is probably too late now to change.