An unusual kiwi chick with one white leg and one black one has hatched at Kiwi Encounter at Rainbow Springs in Rotorua.

Claire Travers, Kiwi Encounter Kiwi Husbandry Manager says, "The new arrival is doing well in the brooder room and is charming the crowds at his/her daily morning weigh in."

The chick recently had its five-day health check and will be introduced to food at the weekend. It hasn't been out and about in the brooder exploring yet, but is expected to over the next day or so.

This is the second chick with different coloured legs to hatch at Kiwi Encounter, the last one arrived a few seasons ago and the colouring difference wasn't as prominent.  The chick was named 'knickerbockers'. 

This latest chick is from Maungataniwha near the Hawke's Bay where it will be returned once it weighs about 1kg and can survive in the wild.

Rainbow Springs National Kiwi Trust Kiwi Encounter facility incubates kiwi eggs from the wild and is the largest hatchery of North Island brown kiwis.  The kiwi eggs are kept safe and warm until they hatch, allowing the newborn chicks to get a strong start in life away from predators such as stoats and cats.

To find out more about sponsoring a kiwi or making a donation visit www.rainbowsprings.co.nz Every Kiwi Encounter Tour booked at Rainbow Springs is donated to the National Kiwi Trust.

Rainbow Springs involvement in kiwi conservation began in 1995 with the arrival of an orphaned egg and the hatchery has grown over the years to become the largest kiwi hatching facility in New Zealand, successfully incubating and hatching brown kiwi eggs from around the North Island.