A kiwi that was killed by a dog on Stewart Island in 2015

The Southland District Council is promising action after native birds were killed by dogs on Stewart Island.

Council environmental health manager Michael Sarfaiti said councillors agreed more education was needed to prevent dog attacks on the island, after concerns were raised by Department of Conservation staff and Island residents.

A letter from DOC to the Rakiura/Stewart Island Community Board dated September 23, 2015, called for action from the council.

"Since 2007 we have recovered at least five kiwi showing evidence of being killed by dogs."

READ MORE:

* Searching for Kiwis on Stewart Island

* Stewart Island dogs trained to avoid kiwi

* New Rakiura National Park manager

In 2014, four little blue penguins were also found showing signs of a dog attack, the letter says.

Sarfaiti said in 2015 the council had confirmed two kiwi were killed by dogs on the island, and received unverified reports of other attacks on the native bird.

"Kiwi are already at risk and it is critical our community does what it can to protect them. If we don't, we run the risk of losing kiwi forever," he said.

The council would make an annual $300 donation in support of kiwi avoidance training on the island, which is run by DOC and Kiwis for Kiwi.

Animal control officers would undertake a door-to-door educational programme on the island within the next couple of months, Sarfaiti said.

That would include a reminder it was the owner's responsibility to contain dogs on their property, and to keep them under control in public.

The council would also work with DOC to put up signs to raise the awareness of visitors bringing dogs to the island, and would offer to run educational programmes at the school.

"Kiwi are a huge part of New Zealand's identity, and their presence on Stewart Island is one of our district's greatest treasures," he said.

It is believed there are about 18,000 kiwi on the island.