2025 New Zealand Kiwi 2 oz Silver High Relief Gilded Black Proof Coin

With the population increasing steadily under management, rowi have gradually been released into the hills surrounding Lake Gault since 2018 and are dispersing through their ancestral home. The removal of predators from South Westland’s forests should mean that the rowi can continue to recover with less intensive management. Rowi are long-lived and are thought to reach 60-80 years of age. This allows them to be slow breeders, usually laying just 1 – 2 eggs a year. Unlike most other kiwi species, both adults (the male and the female) share incubation of the egg, as can the juveniles from previous years, who might stay with their parents for up to 3 years.  

With an ultra high-relief kiwi, gold plating and a black proof finish, this coin was designed by Sacha Lees in consultation with Te Rūnanga O Makaawhio. It features a nesting rowi pair and their egg. One of the unique features of rowi is that the male and female parents take turns to incubate their egg. The chicks often stay with their family group for years. They are slow breeders and usually only lay one egg per year. The kowhaiwhai pattern, which represents the iwi connection with rowi, was gifted by Fayne Robinson of Te Rūnanga O Makaawhio. 

This annual coin issue celebrates Aotearoa New Zealand’s unique kiwi bird.

• 2oz silver coin with black proof and gold plating finish
• Minted from 0.999 silver
• Ultra-high relief kiwi
• Designed by Sacha Lees, Wellington, New Zealand in consultation with Te Rūnanga O Makaawhio
• Low worldwide limited mintage of 250
• Part of NZ Post’s annual kiwi coin programme.