L.A. sends a firetruck to New Zealand--in exchange for two kiwi birds.

In terms of tonnage, it hardly seems an equitable trade: a 15-ton, 55-foot-long hook and ladder truck from Los Angeles for two five-pound kiwi birds from Auckland, New Zealand.

But when cranes lifted the retired firetruck aboard the Columbus Victoria cargo ship at the Port of Los Angeles Friday morning, it was the latest in a long series of trades between the two sister cities.

“We got a request from Auckland Mayor Catherine Tizard that they wanted this kind of engine to put in their museum of transportation and technology,” said Los Angeles City Councilman John Ferraro. “Our Fire Department had a surplus, and we were able to give it to them. They had given us a couple of kiwi birds for our zoo a few years ago.”

New Zealanders often refer to themselves as kiwis, in honor of the nocturnal, flightless birds that populate the island nation.

Los Angeles officials formally presented the retired 1960 Seagrave truck--complete with a 100-foot ladder--to New Zealand officials at a City Hall ceremony last week. Columbus Line Inc., a shipping company that makes frequent trips between Auckland and Los Angeles, volunteered to haul the truck for free.

Los Angeles sent a smaller, 1962 Crown pumper engine to Auckland in 1986, but the 55-foot hook and ladder, which set sail on the Columbus Victoria Friday night, will be unique for the museum.

“This kind of truck is articulated (can be steered by drivers in front and back) and has an aerial ladder. It is not usually found in the Southern Hemisphere,” Ferraro said.

Ferraro said the business of informal barter between sister cities involves a lot of subtle negotiation.

“When I was down there a few years ago, I saw kiwi birds, and I kind of hinted we might like to have some,” Ferraro said. “And they kind of let us know they were looking for a truck like this.”

The truck will arrive in New Zealand in two weeks, said Bernd Gadow, assistant vice president of the Columbus Line.