What is happening to the kiwi habitat?

There are many threats to the kiwi's habitat, which are causing it to diminish.

For most species of kiwi, their natural habitat is native forests but they are now found in kauri and coniferous forest where the undergrowth is dominated by tree ferns. However, due to habitat clearing, kiwi are now forced to survive in semi-wooded forest, scrubland and agricultural areas. Thus, deforestation and land-clearing is a major threat to the kiwi's habitat.

Possums are a major threat to the kiwi's habitat. In New Zealand, possums are taking over native bushland. They eat the birds' foods (including the kiwi's food) and their eggs. Possums strip the native plants of leaves, buds, flowers, fruits and seeds, meaning less chances of propagation. New Zealand trees do not have defensive chemicals, meaning the possums can continue to eat from one tree until the tree has been severely affected. Many of these plant species are disappearing from the New Zealand forests, and allowing invasive non-native species to take hold of the forests. This, too, destroys the kiwi's habitat.