Photo: Robin Martin / RNZ

A captive-breeding programme that helped bring the critically endangered Mahoenui giant wΔ“tā back from the brink is expecting a bumper breeding season this summer - in more ways than one.

Not only is the purpose-built lab at the Ōtorohanga Kiwi House expecting to hatch more wΔ“tā than ever before, but they are likely to be bigger than ever.

Ōtorohanga Kiwi House wildlife manager Matthew Ronaldson is busying himself in the reserve's Mahoenui giant wΔ“tā maternity centre.

"We've got about 30 egg fields or what we all egg fields here waiting to hatch again here this January.

Photo: RNZ/ Libby Kirkby-McLeod

"Basically,

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