A net used to protect an illegal cannabis plot is being blamed for the death of a native New Zealand bird.

A kiwi, named Matimati Ma by the Whakatane Kiwi Trust, was found dead on Tuesday in the Bay of Plenty.

Matimati ma was found dead in Whakatane this week.

'Beautiful Matimati ma was found on Tuesday caught in a net used to protect a cannabis plot,” says Department of Conservation partnership ranger Bridget Palmer.

'This would have been a terrible way to die and he had obviously been there for a couple of days.”

Bridget posted a photo of Mati on the Whakatane Kiwi Trust's Facebook page with the following post:

'I wasn't sure whether to post this photo, but this is the reality of trying to protect our fragile native species.

'It's not only predators that kill our babes, it is also people.”