A rare and endangered breed of New Zealand's national bird has made a return to one of our most remote landscapes.

Little spotted kiwi were decimated by pests in Fiordland, but now conservation efforts have helped put them on the map once more.

"Back before stoats were rampant throughout New Zealand there were kiwi puku-puku everywhere in Fiordland," Hannah Edmonds from the Department of Conservation says.

The kiwi are being returned to Anchor Island at the entrance to Dusky Sound and the arrival of the first group completes a century-long round trip.

Along with the 20 birds yesterday, the Fiordland Conservation Trust plans to bring another 20 birds next year with the aim of providing a source of population to the island.

"They've not been here for 100 years and to have them back with us is a great joy," Dave Taylor, representing Runaka Oraka Aparima, said.

"The collaboration with ngai tahu and ngati tara, it's a century old story, and nice to be able to be a part of it and help the kiwis come back to Fiordland," Fiordland Lobster Company CEO Alan Buckner said.

The hope now is the birds can replicate the thriving population on Kapiti.