A captivating little Kiwi sporting a white hairdo has arrived just in time for the school holidays at Franz Josef.



The rowi Kiwi is the rarest of them all, and the first hatch this breeding season for the West Coast Wildlife Centre.

Director Richard Benton says the Kiwi will be at the centre for up to six weeks.

"We're not quite sure whether it's a he or she at the moment," he told Newshub. "The Kiwi's got a beautiful white tuft of hair on its head."

He said the chick is perfect, with pink middle toes and white toenails.

"It was a perfect hatch - it appears to be fit and healthy, and it's come roaring into the world in Franz Josef so it's all pretty exciting."

Benton told Newshub the rowi kiwi is the rarest in the world, with a population of less than 550.

Since opening nine years ago, the centre has hatched 299 rowi chicks, and 122 Haast tokoeka.

Newshub.