The decimated numbers of the rare white kiwi in New Zealand got a much-needed boost this week as a second chick was hatched in a wildlife sanctuary, officials of the centre revealed Friday.

Pukaha sanctuary chief Kathy Houkamau told Agence France Presse that another chick was bred by the same parents that delivered the first kiwi chick hatched in captivity by the centre May this year.

That chick was named Manukura by wildlife sanctuary officials and this time around, its sibling was given the name Mauriora, which according to Houkamau, means sustained life in Maori.

"To have a second white chick is a delightful gift, especially at this time of year. We thought Christmas had come early in May when Manukura arrived, but now it comes twice," the Pukaha head was quoted by AFP as saying.

Flightless kiwis serve as New Zealand's national symbol but the white varieties carry special significance for the island nation as only a few of them can produce the rare white kind.

According to AFP, only kiwis from the North Island, which possess recessive white genes on both male and female birds, are believe capable of siring the offspring.

Wildlife experts have been calling attention to the bird's dwindling numbers, with latest estimates putting their total population at less than 70,000, due to widespread hunting by domesticated and wild animals.

Also, the manner of the latest bird's breeding was remarkable, according to wildlife ranger Darren Page, who works for the Department of Conservation captive breeding division.

For two white kiwis roaming the Pukaha forest that covers some 940 hectares to breed is simply amazing, Page said, especially if they happen to be the same parents that produced Manukura, which is not a remote possibility since the offspring was white too.

And there are not too many of them in the Pukaha sanctuary, Page stressed, with many always battling the threats of being eaten by prowling animals.

Wildlife experts have in fact listed the rare bird as 'critically endangered', meaning they could soon disappear minus appropriate protection and intervention coming from the government and conservationists.