The first kiwi chick of the season has hatched at Rotorua's Kiwi Encounter.

Named Tuatahi, the chick had 78 days of incubation before beginning to push its way out - eventually hatching at a healthy weight of 375 grams.

There are another 11 eggs in incubation at Kiwi Encounter coming from all over the North Island â “ as far afield as Taranaki, Tongariro and Waimarino, to the East Coast and the Coromandel.