​Kiwi evolved in a paradise that was completely free of land-based mammals (except the native bat), and had no need for wings as a means of escape. Kiwi filled the niche of the small, nocturnal mammal, like the badger or echidna does in other countries.  

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When humans arrived about a thousand years ago they brought with them dogs and rats. Later, European visitors brought mustelids (weasels, stoats, ferrets). These mammalian predators devoured kiwi - to them, a slow moving and nocturnal, super-abundant food source. Mustelids are now so widespread, less than 10% of wild hatched kiwi chicks survive. 

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