An early Christmas present for West Coast Department of Conservation rangers

Two little spotted kiwi chicks have been recovered from a rediscovered population in remote Westland.

Since a single bird was first spotted in July, nine have now been found - including two breeding pairs.

Project lead, Iain Graham, says rangers have been steadily building a picture of the fragile population.

The chicks have been moved to a protected environment in Christchurch's Willowbank Wildlife Reserve.