Concerns that the Department of Conservation's planned changes after the deaths of 17 kiwi aren't going far enough.

An independent review has found the birds' deaths between 2016 and 2017 at Hawke's Bay's Cape Sanctuary were due to staff turnover, a dry summer and predation.

DOC has given itself two years to implement changes to documentation, monitoring and complaint management.

But former Forest and Bird chief conservation advisor Kevin Hackwell told Kate Hawkesby it doesn't address the conflict between kiwis' welfare and tourism.

He says when that conflict arises it's vital that welfare wins over tourism.

Note: A claim was made in the interview that Cape Sanctuary staff were told by management not to inform DOC of the Kiwi deaths. Cape Sanctuary denies this and the independent review commissioned by DOC does not refer to this claim.