Kākāpō also known as owl parrot

The kākāpō is the world's only flightless parrot and nocturnal parrot. It's name comes from kākā ("parrot") + pō ("night"). It's round face resembles an owl; hence it is also called owl parrot (Strigops habroptilus), which was named by English ornithologist George Robert Gray in June 1845. (Source: Wikipedia: Kākāpō). The kākāpō have become critically endangered and the Department of Conservation's (DOC) Kākāpō Recovery Programme partners with others to protect the kākāpō in five predator-free sanctuaries. Since January 2010, the kākāpō Sirocco has been the "Official Spokesbird for Conservation" and has Facebook and Twitter fans. (See: Department of Conservation: Kākāpō Recovery) Did you know that you can symbolically adopt a kākāpō as a fundraiser for DOC?!  See: Department of Conservation: Adopt a kākāpō. 

And the Bird of the Year winner is...

The kākāpō was crowned winner of the Bird of the Year in 2008 by the public and took the title again in 2020. Bird of the Year was first launched in October 2005 and is currently run by Forest & Bird to raise awareness of New Zealand’s unique native birds and the threats they face.  See: https://www.birdoftheyear.org.nz/

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The following looks at:                                                                                                                                                            1.   Kākāpō characteristics                                                                                                                                                        2.  Conservation management, 1860s -                                                                                                                                  3.  Current sanctuaries: Breeding & male-only kākāpō                                                                                                        4.  Record-breaking breeding season celebrated in 2026                                                                                                5.  DOC's 'Adopt a kākāpō' and Predator Free 2050 policy                                                                                              6.  Artistic images of kākāpō & tributes

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1. Kākāpō characteristics

Physiology

From egg to adult

• During the breeding season, males gather in an arena formed by digging one or more saucer-shaped depressions or "bowls" in the ground which they stand in to help to amplify their mating call. They then compete against each other with displays (also known as "'lek") to attract a female - raise feathers, spread wings, raise claws and emit loud, low-frequency "booms" that can travel as far as five kilometres. After 20-30 booms, they'll make a high-pitched metallic "ching" sound; then start the booming and chinging again. This can last for eight hours each night during the 2-4 month breeding season.  (See: Wikipedia: Kākāpō)

• The nest is on the ground under dense vegetation or in a shallow cavity of soil or rotten wood. Female kākāpō lays 1–4 eggs, with several days between eggs, which hatch during February–March. The chicks leave the nest at approximately 10 to 12 weeks of age. The average life expectancy of kākāpō is 60 years, and they can live for 90 years. (See: Wikipedia: Kākāpō)

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2. Conservation management, 1860s - 

          2.1    Legislation on introduced predators                                                                                    2.2   First sanctuary at Resolution Island, 1890s - early 1900s                                                2.3   Govt's conservation services, 1945 -                                                                                   2.4   Kākāpō discoveries, sanctuaries & conservation practices     

2.1   Legislation on introduced predators

• In pre-Polynesian times, kākāpō were distributed throughout the North Island and South Island, according to fossil records of pre-1200 AD.

• After the arrival of early Polynesian settlers during 1200-1300, they were hunted for food and their feathers, and preyed on by Polynesian dogs (kuri) and the kiore (Pacific rat). 

• During European settlement, predators such as rats, cats, pigs, goats, and dogs were introduced which almost wiped out the kākāpō. 

Animals Protection Act (1861) for imported animals, birds & fishes

• On 18 June 1861, the New Zealand Parliament, which first sat in May 1854, enacted its first legislation on the protection of wildlife imported into the Province of Nelson which had been constituted in 1853 under the New Zealand Constitution Act 1852. The Protection of Animals Act:  ‘An Act to Provide for the Protection of Certain Animals, Birds, and Fishes Imported into the Province of Nelson’gave authority to the Superintendent to specify which species already imported or imported in the future would be an offence to kill, or keep and sell, including their eggs.

• On 6 September 1861, the  Protection of Certain Animals Act 1861 drew on the Nelson Province Act to manage game birds, define shooting seasons, and restrict certain animal introductions throughout NZ. It placed restrictions on when species of animals and birds could be hunted or kept and sold during the year, with the emphasis on imported species. Types of animals included deer and hare; and birds included the swan, partridge, English plover, rook, starling, thrush, blackbird, pheasant, quail, wild duck and wild goose. The Act excluded the vast majority of native birds, including the kākāpō, kiwi, kökako, saddlebacks, stitichbird, and bellbird, which could still be taken or killed during the game season. 

Acclimatisation Society introduced European plants & animals for food & sport, 1861 - 

• On 25 November 1861, the Acclimatisation Society was formed in Auckland; followed by Nelson and Whanganui (1863), Otago and Canterbury (1864) and gradually other regions. The aim was to introduce European plants and animals for food and sport, including deer, rabbits, birds, and fish (eg trout and salmon).  See: Papers Past: New Zealander (7 Dec 1861), "Monthly Local Epitome", (Volume XVII, Issue 1632, p.5)

• On 10 October 1867, the Government passed the The Protection of Animals Act 1867  "to provide for the Protection of certain Animals and for the Encouragement of Acclimatization Societies in New Zealand". The Act formally recognised the regional acclimatisation societies that were importing new species into the country. However, the Act made the introduction of “any fox, venomous reptile, hawk, vulture or other bird of prey” forbidden. The Act also stipulated which imported species of animals and birds could be designated as game and hunted during the gaming season (May, June or July) and which native species (such as wild duck, bittern, and pied stilt) could be hunted during April, May, June or July. Later Amendments to the Act updated which species could be imported.

Impact of introduced rabbits for food and game on farmland

• The introduction of rabbits for food and sport led to the depletion of farmland vegetation, causing a drop in productivity of sheep stations in Marlborough, Otago and Southland. The rabbits also began spreading to other areas, including North Canterbury and the Wairarapa in the North Island. The depletion of vegetation led to soil erosion, as did the burrowing of the rabbits.

Mustelid imported to control rabbits also preyed on native species, including kākāpō

• Sheepfarmers began hunting the rabbits with dogs and shotguns, and used traps and poison. They also imported shiploads of birds of prey and mustelid (ferrets, stoats and weasles) to manage the rabbits.

• The mustelids became a pest themselves, preying on native animals and bird species, including the huia and kākāpō. 

Government passed the Rabbit Nuisance Act in 1876

• On 20 July 1876, Parliament set up a Select Committee to inquire into the rabbit nuisance. The Rabbit Nuisance Committee's report (28 August 1876)  recommended the introduction of a bill to compel land occupiers to keep rabbits in check.  (See: Papers Past: Parliamentary Papers: AJHR: 1876: Session 1)

• In 1876, the Rabbit Nuisance Act was passed to place responsibiity on farmers for the destruction of rabbits following damage to pastoral land. The Government also decided to introduce mustelids (ferrets, stoats, and weasels) to help wipe out the rabbits.

2.2  First sanctuary at Resolution Island, 1890s - early 1900s 

Sanctuaries for native fauna & flora proposed by Thomas Potts: 1872, 1878 & 1892

• Conservationist Thomas Henry Potts emigrated from England to Canterbury in 1854. He established a cattle station and became a member of the Canterbury Provincial Council for Port Victoria (1858–61 and 1866–76) and served as the Member of the House of Representatives for Mount Herbert (1866–70). He also served as inaugural Vice President of the Canterbury Acclimatisation Society which formed in April 1864 and the Philosophical Institute of Canterbury, and as Vice President and President of the Horticultural Society.)

(a) Proposed  D'Urville Island and Resolution Island, 1872

• In 1872, Thomas Potts sent a letter on native bird protection to the British science journal Nature (founded 1869). He shared his concerns at the impact of hunting and predators on native birds in NZ. He hoped a greater awareness of the destruction of "beautiful and interesting"  New Zealand birds would lead to preventive "efforts more likely to give better results than our present legal enactments". He proposed D'Urville Island (in the Marlborough Sounds) and Resolution Island (in Dusky Sound, Fiordland) as ideal locations for establishing reserves:

"Could we be persuaded to try and avert …the destruction of so many species of our feathered tribe, D’Urville’s Island might be found most useful. Wingless species, and birds of feeble powers of flight, might there find a refuge for some of their representatives. Resolution Island might be placed under tapu from molestation by dog and gun."

 Source: Thomas H. Potts (2 May 1872), “Help us to Save our Birds”, Letter to the Editor, in Nature, (Vol 6; pp 5 - 6):                                        https://dbc.wroc.pl/Content/13967/PDF/15631.pdf          

(b) Proposed national domains, 1878

• In 1878, Potts article "National Domains" was published in New Zealand Country Journal (Vol. 2, No. 4, pp.227-233) by the Canterbury Agricultural and Pastoral Association. He advocated for the "wisdom of making provision for the future by timely reservations of land" to protect NZ's native flora and fauna. The article was part of a series of his papers published in the Journal under the title "Out in the Open" which were reprinted in his book: "Out in the open: A Budget of Scraps of Natural History, Gathered in New Zealand " (Lyttelton Times Company, 1882) 

(c)  Proposed Little Barrier Island and Resolution Island as nature reserves, 21 Jan 1891

• During 15-23 Jan 1891, a meeting was held by the Australasian Association for the Advancement for Science (ANZAAS) in Christchurch. On 21 January, a resolution was moved by Auckland University College Professor Algernon Thomas encouraging the preservation of the native fauna and flora of New Zealand, which was seconded by Otago Boys' High School science teacher George Thomson. Potts proposed both Little Barrier Island and Resolution Island in the Dusky Sound be considered as island reserves.  

"That in the interest of science it is most desirable that some steps should be taken to establish one or more reserves where the native flora and fauna of New Zealand may be preserved from destruction; that the Little Barrier Island and Resolution Island, Dusky Sound, appear to be the most suitable localities for such reserves, that a copy of above resolution be forwarded to the Minister for Lands."

      Source: Papers Past: Otago Witness (29 Jan 1891), "Association for the Advancement of Science", (p, 16)

Resolution Island gazetted as NZ's first nature reserve, May 1891

• In 1891, the Government considered the merits of Little Barrier Island (located 80 kms to the north of Auckland) and Resolution  Island (sited in Dusky Sound, Fiordland) for the preservation of native flora and fauna. and decided on the latter. 

• In May 1891, Resolution Island was gazetted as NZ's (and the world's) first nature reserve. The 20,860-hectare island, which is mountainous and heavily forested, was named by Captain James Cook after his ship, the HMS Resolution, which visited Dusky Sound during March-April 1773. 

Resolution Island became sanctuary for flightless birds & caretaker appointed in 1894

• After Resolution Island was gazetted as a nature reserve, the Otago Institute and the Otago Acclimatisation Society spent the next two years lobbying the Government to declare the Island a sanctuary for flightless birds. The aim was to save kākāpō and other native birds (eg kiwi and weka) on the mainland from introduced predators by translocating them to the Island.

• During 1893, the Government eventually agreed to fund a caretaker for Resolution Island. In 1894, Irishman Richard Henry (1845–1929) who'd lived in Fiordland for fourteen years was appointed by the Government as caretaker of Resolution Island. His role was to save kākāpō and other ground birds from introduced stoats and weasels. Henry was to be paid a salary of £125 a year and given help towards his equipment and housing. As the Government's funding did not cover having an assistant, Henry decided to pay the wages himself - fifth of his salary. He then employed Andrew Burt who was aged c.18-20 years.

• Henry decided that they'd stay on Pigeon Island to the west of Resolution Island. As he wanted to bring his dog to accompany him on searches for birds on the mainland, Henry did not think it ideal to have the dog stay on the same reserve as native birds. Also, he felt that Pigeon Island had more natural harbours than Resolution Island to aid travelling to and from the mainland. Henry and Burt initially built a a camp and a boatshed; and later constructed a three--roomed weatherboard cottage with a brick chimney and iron roof.  

Kākāpō and other ground birds translocated to Resolution Island

• Richard Henry and Andrew Burt searched for ground birds, including kākāpō and kiwi, on the mainland. Henry's fox terrier, Lassie, who wore a muzzle, was trained to search for kākāpō. They then took the birds to Pigeon Island before journeying onto the Resolution Island nature reserve.

Bird pens and handfeeding used

• The captured kākāpo were carried in a knapsack and taken to Pigeon Island. They were kept in especially constructed bird pens until there were sufficient numbers to transport by rowboat to Resolution Island. The bird pens were built of timber and wire netting and the kākāpō were fed were on oats, gooseberries, and blue peas. They were transferred to small cages for the boat journey to Resolution Island. 

• The captured kiwi were also kept in bird pens on Pigeon Island but kept trying to get through the wire and were being plagued by sandflies. As a solution, a rectangular bird pen was built of punga logs that stood 0.5 metre high and had a roof, which also gave a darker room. The bird pen  has since been declared Historic Place Category 1 on 21 April 1994. See: Heritage New Zealand: Richard Henry's Bird Pen Pigeon Island, Dusky Sound, FIORDLAND (List No. 7171)

Over 300 birds sent to Resolution Is & other islands, & breeding began to occur

• During 1897 and 1898, Richard Henry relocated kiwi and c.200 kākāpo to Resolution Island. As Henry thought the Island was stocked to its capacity, the additional kākāpo (c.140) that were found were relocated to the surrounding islands. Over 100-plus birds were also sent to other locations around NZ, including botanical gardens. Henry remained as caretaker until 1908, when he relocated to Kapiti Island as the ranger.

• Ornithologist Robert Stidolph wrote the following about Richard Henry's translocation of kākāpō to Resolution Island and other island locations in an article published in Nature Notes in 1936:

"In 1897 he liberated there 135 and in 1898 a further 64. In addition, he placed the kakapo on other islands in the vicinity, 124 on Long Island, three on Indian Island, eleven on Archer Island, and one on Cooper Island. It is not known if this bird became established on any of these islands or not, as since Mr. Henry's removal from Resolution Island there has been no caretaker on the island, which is seldom, if ever, visited by human beings."

Source: Papers Past: R.H.D. Stidolph, (3 Oct 1936), "Nature Notes: The Owl Parrot: A quaint N.Z. bird": Evening Post (Vol. CXXII, Issue 82, p.17)

• The kākāpō continued to be handfed after arriving on Resolution Island to provide nutrition as several of the birds were underweight.

• The breeding of chicks began to occur, which Henry attributed to the rise in nutritional levels. 

Due to predators, the birds were moved to surrounding islands during 1890s onwards

• On 4 March 1890, a weasel was observed chasing a weka on the shore by tourists aboard a passing schooner. Henry spent the next three months trying to locate and catch the weasel. Then on 4 August 1890, Henry saw a weasel on Resolution Island and began laying more traps and poison.

• As a precaution, Henry also began moving several birds - kākāpō and kiwi - to smaller surrounding islands. Four of the kākāpō were also sent from Resolution Island to Little Barrier Island in 1903, but feral cats were present.

• The increasing presence of predators on Resolution Island and the surroundings islands resulted in the numbers and location of kākāpō and other native birds declining. 

Henry's field notes for NZ Lands Dpt annual reports were published in 1903

• Henry kept field notes and writings about his techniques for the rescue of the kākāpō, kiwi and other birds and his observations of their behaviour. He submitted his writings to the NZ Lands Department who included extracts in its annual report. 

• Henry's writings were also published in 1903 by the Government Printer as an 88-paged pamphlet entitled, "The habits of the flightless birds of New Zealand: with notes on other New Zealand birds".

Robert Henry left Resolution Island & became Kapiti Island's ranger, 1908-1911

• In February 1908, a dispirited Henry left Resolution Island to take up the post of ranger on Kapiti Island which he commenced in June 1908 until 1911. Afterwards, he moved to Katikati and then to Auckland in 1924 where he died later that year in November aged 84. See: Marty Taylor (2007), "Resolution for Richard Henry", National Geographic, (Jan-Feb)

• Due to the predator problem on Resolution Island, the Government did not fund a replacement caretaker.

Kākāpō population continued to decline & was extinct in North Island by 1920s

 2.3  Govt's conservation services, 1945 -

New Zealand Wildlife Service operated from 1945 - 1987

• The "Wildlife Branch" of the New Zealand Department of Internal Affairs was established in 1945. The aim was to unify the administration of game animals management, exotic pests control, and native species protection, particularly native birds.

• It was renamed the "Wildlife Division" in December 1951; then reverted to "Wildlife Branch" on 1 April 1956, after its deer control section was transferred to the Forest Service. The Wildlife Branch began referring to itself as the "Wildlife Service" in 1973 which became its official name in 1974.

Wildlife Service disestablished when Department of Conservation formed in 1987

• The Wildlife Service was disestablished in 1987 when most of its functions and staff were taken over by the new Department of Conservation (DOC) which was formed under the Conservation Act 1987.and launched on 1 April 1987.

• DOC's role was to oversee the management of parks and reserves, and protect inland waters and native wildlife. It combined the former functions of the Wildlife Service, the New Zealand Forest Service, the Department of Lands and Survey, the Historic Places Trust (established in 1955) and other government agencies.

• For DOC's current structure, see: https://www.doc.govt.nz/about-us/our-structure/

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2.4.  Kākāpō discoveries, sanctuaries & conservation practices

Expeditions held to locate kākāpō, 1949-1970s

• During 1949-1972, the Wildlife Service conducted over 60 expeditions in Fiordland and north-west Nelson to locate kākāpō.

• In 1958, one male kākāpō was caught and released in Milford Sound.

• In 1961, six males were caught and placed into captivity at Mt Cook (5 died within weeks and the sixth lived for four years). During 1967, one male was caught and died. 

• A further 11 male kākāpō were found by early 1970s.

• During 1974-1978, searches by the NZ Wildlife Service for flora and fauna in the North and South Islands found 18 male kākāpō in the high altitude valleys of Milford Sound. 

Kākāpō discovered in Fiordland relocated to Maud Island sanctuary, 1974 - 1975

• In 1974, the New Zealand Wildlife Service during its expeditions discovered two male kākāpō in Fiordland.

• The two kākāpō were translocated to Maud Island in the Marlborough Sounds, which became NZ's first predator-free sanctuary for kākāpō. The Island's 309 hectares was covered mainly in pasture and scrub and had 18 hectares of forest. See: Papers Past: Derek Brown (1 Nov 2000), Maud Island, Forest and Bird (Issue 298, p.14.

• During 1975, another Fiordland male kākāpō was relocated to Maud Island. The kākāpō was named Richard Henry after the former caretaker on Resolution Island.

• The first two kākāpō survived for three years on Maud Island, after which one was accidentally killed and the other went missing. The kākāpō who was killed was initially thought to have been female due to its small size and was named 'Jill'. A Wildlife trainee officer had been allowed to have his pet dog live with him on the Island, but the dog killed Jill in mid-1977. This led to a ban on all dogs, including those used by staff to help track kākāpō, which was eventually lifted in 1980.  See: New Zealand Conservation Stories: Political Rifts and Conservation Consequences 

Kākāpō (c.200) sighted on Rakiura/Stewart Island in 1977 began to decline due to feral cats

• During the 1977-1978 breeding season, c.40 male kākāpō were heard booming on Tin Range on Rakiura/Stewart Island. However, a ban on the Wildlife Service using dogs which was introduced in mid-1977 made if difficult to locate kākāpō whose population was estimated to be c.200.  The ban on dogs was eventually lifted during 1980.

• During expeditions in 1980 to locate further kākāpō, it was found that the previous number of kākāpō had begun to decline due to the presence of feral cats. Extensive searches had only found c.95 kākāpō, though more were estimated to be present.

• A graph of known population of kākāpō in NZ by 1 Jan each year from 1977 - 2022 has been compiled by DOC Science Adviser, Dr Andrew Digby: Kakapo-pop 

Female kākāpō found in 1980 & 1981 but total number of kākāpō still decreasing

• In 1980, during the expedition on Rakiura/Stewart Island, two female kākāpō were discovered amongst the c.95 birds found. They were named Alice and Nora.

• The following year, the discoveries included four adult females: Tobacco Face (named for the brown stains on her face), Bitch (named because she'd bite her handlers), Alice, and Heidi. Six males were also found: a juvenile male (Lionel aged c.3 years); and five adult males (Rangi, Gunter, Glintamber, Lawrence, and Solomon). Nora and Rangi had bred, producing three chicks, two of which survived to fledging: a male, Alder, and a female, Zephyr. Alice also bred with an unknown male who was later identified in 1983 as Buster.

• However, the expedition during 1981 also discovered that a further c.15-20 birds had been killed. The number of known kākāpō was c.50 - 60 birds, which was extrapolated to be higher due to tracks founds in the southern part of the island. 

• In 1985, the Wildlife Service published the booklet "Kakapo" with notes, coloured photographs and maps for the public to help identify signs of kākāpō in other parts of NZ so as to alert the Wildlife Service.

The remaining kākāpō (c.50-60) relocated to 4 island sanctuaries during 1980-1992

• Between 1980-1992, the NZ Wildlife Service progressively relocated the remaining known kākāpō (c.50-60 birds) to predator-free islands: Maud Island in 1980; and then to three other islands which began operating as sanctuaries: Hauturu-o-Toi/Little Barrier Island (1982); Codfish Island/Whenua Hou (1987); and Mana Island (1992) which received two of the males -  Rewi and Rhys.

Radio transmitters attached to kākāpō before being released

• To aid translocation, radio-transmitters were attached to each found kākāpō who were could still wander to forage for food etc. When the transport was organised, the radio-tagged birds were located and taken to their sanctuary island. Each kākāpō was then liberated on arrival at the Island, still wearing their radio transmitter.

(i) Maud Island sanctuary (operated 1974-1982 & 1989-2003)

During 1980-1981, the following six kākāpō were translocated from Rakiura/Stewart Island to Maud Island which had begun operating as a sanctuary in 1974 for kākāpō translocated from Fiordland:

• In late 1980, a male kākāpō who was named Arab (after tracker Gary "Arab" Aburn) (See: DOC: Conservation blog: The remarkable hunter that helped save the kākāpō, 12  Oct 2015)

• During 1981, two male kākāpō. However, both disappeared after being released and were presumed to have died.

• In 1981, following the discovery of female kākāpō on Rakiura/Stewart Island, three females - Maggie, Jean and Dianna - were transferred to Maud Island. Dianna, who weighed just 900 grams when translocated, died several months later.

The arrival of the kākāpō provided companionship for the sole remaining kākāpō translocated from Fiordland - male kākāpō Richard Henry who'd been translocated in 1975.

When stoat detected, remaining four kākāpō removed from Maud Is. to Little Barrier Is. in 1982

• When a stoat was detected on Maud Island in 1982, the remaining four kākāpō - two females (Maggie and Jean) and two males (Arab and Richard Henry) - were removed to Hauturu-o-Toi/Little Barrier Island. The stoat was killed the following year.

 Kākāpō reintroduced to Maud Island from 1989 - 2003

• During 1989, male kākāpō began to be reintroduced to Maud Island from Rakiura/Stewart Island by the Department of Conservation (DOC) which was launched on 1 April 1987.

• In 1991, the four male birds were joined by two females from Rakiura/Stewart Island but breeding did not take place.

First time breeding occurred on Maud Island, 1998

• In 1996, Richard Henry was returned to Maud Island from Hauturu-o-Toi/Little Barrier Island. He was joined in July 1996 by a female kākāpō named Flossie. As they were underweight, they were given supplementary feeding. Both mated and Flossie hatched three chicks in 1998  - female named Kuia and two males named Gulliver and Sinbad. This was the first time that breeding has occurred on Maud Island. The occasion was also the first time Flossie was known to have bred in 16 years and Richard Henry to have mated in 23 years. The breeding was attributed to the supplementary feeding which increased their nutrition as their low weight increased. As Richard Henry was the last surviving Fiordland kākāpō, his DNA has helped to preserve the Fiordland genes and also enabled genetic diversity in the kākāpō population.

• By 2000, the number of kākāpō had risen to 18; then began to decline due to a lack of suitable food like rimu fruit.

During 2002-May 2003, the remaining kākāpō on Maud Island were relocated by DOC

• DOC began relocating the kākāpō, including Richard Henry who was taken to Te Kākahu-o-Tamatea/Chalky Island in 2002.

• The last five kākāpō were relocated by May 2003, including the female kākāpō Maggie who was translocated to Codfish Island.

(ii) Hauturu-o-Toi/Little Barrier Island sanctuary (1982-1999)

• Hauturu-o-Toi/Little Barrier Island lies 80 km north of Auckland on the outer edge of the Hauraki Gulf. The Island was declared a nature reserve for the preservation of native fauna in 1895 by the NZ Government.

• In 1968, the NZ Wildlife Service began intensive conservation on Hauturu-o-Toi/Little Barrier Island, initiating "Operation Kill the Cats" which led to the last feral cat being trapped on 23 June 1980.

• In 1982, the Island began to be used as NZ's second sanctuary for kākāpō translocated from Rakiura/Stewart Island due the presence of feral cats.

Nature reserve for native fauna since 1895

Twenty-two kākāpō translocated from Rakiura/Stewart Island & Maud Island, 1982-1983

• By 1982, there were 18 kākāpō (11 males and 7 females) left on Rakiura/Stewart Island. Due to the presence of feral cats, DOC decided to translocate the kākāpō to Hauturu-o-Toi/Little Barrier Island. The following year, they were joined by four kākāpō (2 males and 2 females) from Maud Island.

DOC relocated 11 remaining kākāpō from Hauturu-o-Toi/Little Barrier Island to Maud Island in 1999

• In January 1999, DOC began searching for kākāpō who had gone missing after their radio transmitter had failed. A male kākāpō named Snark was not located and presumed to have died. Two females named Mike and Lisa were last seen over ten years ago. In early March. dog teams found Lisa sitting on a nest with three eggs. The eggs were taken to the Burwood Bush nursery facility in Te Anau for incubation, where they hatched later in the month and the chicks were hand-reared.

• By April 1999, the eleven known kākāpō on Hauturu-o-Toi/Little Barrier Island were relocated. Three females and a male were relocated to Maud Island and two males to another island. The remaining five were moved to Codfish Island when the kākāpō already established returned from temporary quarters on neighbouring Pearl Island.

(iii)  Codfish Island/Whenua Hou sanctuary (operated 1987 -    )

• Between 1987-1991, the remaining 38 kākāpō found on Rakiura/Stewart Island were relocated of which 31 (20 males and 11 females) were taken to Codfish Island/Whenua Hou by DOC. The Island lies 3 km west of Rakiura/Stewart Island and is 1396-hectares in size. It had become a nature reserve for endangered species after the eradication of brush-tailed possum and weka over a three-year period by May 1987. 

• During 2003, the female kākāpō Maggie was translocated from Maud Island to Codfish Island. Maggie stayed on Codfish Island until her death aged 36 years during a landslide on 20 May 2014. See: BBC World News: New Zealand: Landslide kills rare flightless parrot (5 June 2014) and DOC: Conservation blog: Remembering Maggie the kākāpō (9 June 2014). 

• Codfish Island's temperate climate and its vegetation and forests are suitable for birds, and it is still used as a kākāpō reserve today.

(iv) Mana Island sanctuary for kākāpō (1992-1993)

• In 1987, Mana Island, near Kapiti Island on the south-west coast of the North Island, was designated as a scientific reserve and came under the management of the Department of Internal Affairs.

• Between 1989-1991, a rodent eradication programme was held by DOC; after which the 217 hectare Island was declared rodent-free.

• During 1992, DOC began introducing species threatened by predation eslewhere including kākāpō.

• In 1992, two male kākāpō - Rewi and Rhys - were translocated by DOC to Mana Island from Rakiura/Stewart Island. The first night after Rewi was released, he dropped his radio transmitter. Unable to be tracked, Rewi was not seen again and was presumed to have died. Later on, Rhys was found dead on 19 August 1993. A postmortem was not conclusive as to the cause of death; however there were elevated levels of organophosphate pesticide in his tissues and his low body weight was considered a contributing factor to his death.

• Afterwards, other kākāpo were not sent to Mana Island as the environment was deemed unsuitable for them.

• However, Mana Island continued to be a reserve for other native birds, including takahē, translocated by DOC. Ownership of Mana Island and Kapiti Island reverted to the Ngāti Toa iwi on 31 December 2024 under a Treaty of Waitangi settlement. Nowadays, Mana Island is used as a wildlife sanctuary for native sea and land-based birds, insects, and reptiles (gecko and skink) and flora, and has a DOC ranger living there. See: Steve Sutton (March 2025), Mana Island Kakapo, OSNZ - Birds of New Zealand, p.3) and Friends of Mana Island: Fauna of Manu Island.

DOC's Kākāpō Recovery Programme, 1990 -

• The Department of Conservation (DOC) had began operating on 1 April 1987.  In 1989, there were only 40 known kākāpō which led DOC to release its first formal "Kākāpo Recovery Plan, 1989-1994". The intent was to establish research priorities and management actions, which led to the forming of the Kākāpō Recovery Programme. 

DOC partners with Royal Forest and Bird Protection Society, 1990

• In 1990, the Kākāpō Recovery Programme was established as a partnership between DOC and the Royal Forest and Bird Protection Society. The purpose was the intensive management of kākāpo, including relocation to predator-free islands; health checks; supplementary feeding to improve the health and breeding; and predator control.                                                See https://www.doc.govt.nz/our-work/kakapo-recovery/

First corporate national partner was Comalco, 1990 - 2015

• Comalco (Commonwealth Aluminium Corporation) New Zealand (now part of Rio Tinto) provided sponsorship for the next twenty-five years.

DOC and Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu form partnership, 1995

• By 1995, the kākāpō numbered 51 (31 males, 20 females). This led DOC and Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu to form a partnership to rebuild the number of kākāpō. Iwi, scientists, rangers, volunteers and supporters worked collaboratively to protect the kākāpō. 

Initial focus was kākāpō safety: Radio transmitters increasingly used & 'SNARKS"  introduced

• The initial focus was on preventing cat and stoat predation by securing the remaining kākāpō. Initiatives included the increasing use of radio transmitters. 

• By 1995, all female kākāpō were wearing radio transmitters, to track their location; monitor their activity levels including when matings occur (Dec-Jan), who mated with who, and when females are nesting; and ensure their safety. 

• Later in 1997, "SNARKS" were introduced which combined radio frequency scanners and data loggers to allow rangers to automatically log transmitter data and identify which males were mating with which females.

Search parties located last known kākāpō (Solstice) on Rakiura/Stewart Island in 1997

• During 1995 - 1996, search parties were conducted on Rakiura/Stewart Island to locate any further kākāpo as none had been sighted since 1992. The searchers looked for "track-and-bowl" systems (flattened areas used by males to boom) and fresh droppings or chewed vegetation. However, no kākāpō were sighted.

• During 1997, a dog team was used which found what is thought to be the last surviving kākāpō, a female, on Rakiura/Stewart Island. The kākāpō became known as Solstice as she had been discovered on the winter solstice (21 June). Solstice was relocated to Whenua Hou/Codfish Island near Stewart Island, which had been a kākāpō sanctuary since 1987. 

                                  >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> 

3.  Current sanctuaries: Breeding & male-only kākāpo

               3.1   Breeding sanctuaries on Codfish, Chalky & Anchor Islands                                             3.2  DOC's projects and partnerships, 2010s -                                                                           3.3  Male-only sanctuaries trial commenced during 2020s 

3.1   Breeding sanctuaries on Codfish, Chalky & Anchor Islands

Three predator-free islands near the bottom of the South Island were selected as sanctuaries for breeding kākāpō and continue to operate today:

• Whenua Hou/Codfish Island near Rakiura/Stewart Island (since 1987)

• Te Kākahu-o-Tamatea/Chalky Island in Fiordland (since 2002)

• Pukenui/Anchor Island in the Dusky Sound, Fiordland (since 2005).

(i)  Whenua Hou/Codfish Island Sanctuary (since 1987 -    )

• Since 1987, Whenua Hou/Codfish Island near Rakiura/Stewart Island has been used as a sanctuary for male and female kākāpō that were translocated by the NZ Wildlife Service from Rakiura/Stewart Island. The last arrival was the female kākāpō, Solstice, who'd been found on Stewart Island/Rakiura in June 1997.

The kākāpō were temporarily relocated to Pearl Island in late 1998-early 1999

• In late 1998, the kākāpō were temporarily relocated 30 kms away to Pearl Island while rats were being eliminated from Whenua Hou/Codfish Island. Five of the thirteen females nested and produced 14 eggs of which five hatched and three chicks survived - one chick by one female and two chicks by another female. Afterwards, the male and female kākāpo and the chicks were returned from Pearl Island to Whenua Hou/Codfish Island. See: G. P. Elliott (2006), "A simulation of the future of kakapo", Notornis, (v.53, No 1; pp. 164-172)

Whenua Hou/Codfish Island during 2000s

Male kākāpō Richard Henry was relocated to Whenua Hou/Codfish Island where died in 2010 aged c.80

• Male kākāpō Richard Henry who was first found in Fiordland in 1975, had been relocated to Maud Island (July 2002); and then moved to Whenua Hou/Codfish Island where he later died on 24 December 2010 aged c.80. His remains were preserved as a taxidermy specimen displayed at the Te Anau Department of Conservation (DOC) visitor centre. Feathers belonging to Richard Henry were collected by DOC staff when he was on Maud Island and are held by the Otago Museum in Dunedin.

(ii)  Te Kākahu-o-Tamatea / Chalky Island Sanctuary (2002 -    )

• In 1999, stoats were eradicated from Kākahu-o-Tamatea/Chalky Island in Chalky Inlet in Fiordland.

• In July 2002, first three kākāpō arrived on Chalky Island, including Richard Henry, who'd been transferred from Maud Island. As Richard Henry, who was approximately 50 years old, was the last known Fiordland kākāpō, it was hoped that being returned to his native environment with podocarp and beech tree fruit; he would be stimulated to breed and pass on his genes. However, Richard Henry then moved to Codfish Island where he passed away on 24 December 2010.

• In May 2020, 16 female kākāpō joined 16 males resident on Chalky Island to enable the establishment of a breeding population.

(iii)  Pukenui/Anchor Island Sanctuary (2005 -      )

• In 2005, the first kākāpō were transferred  to Pukenui/Anchor Island in Tamatea/Dusky Sound, southwest Fiordland after a stoat eradication in 2001. 

Artificial semination trial, 2009 -

• By 2006, the remaining small population numbered 86 kākāpō who lived on the predator-free islands in NZ.

• In March 2006, data on the breeding biology of the kākāpō on the island sanctuaries during 1990-2002 was reviewed by DOC. The role of genetic factors to boost breeding was also examined by Bruce Robertson (School of Biological Sciences, University of Canterbury).

• In 2009, an artificial insemination trial was conducted on Whenua Hou/Codfish Island with six female kākāpō to boost the number of kākāpō. The trial included Solstice who laid three eggs and produced one surviving chick (a female named Ra who later hatched four of her own chicks).  A second chick was hatched by one of the other female kākāpō during the 2009 trial.

• During 2009, 33 chicks (including those from artificial insemination) were born on Whenua Hou/Codfish Island of which 26 were hand-reared at an Invercargill facility due to a shortage of rimu crop on Codfish Island.

3.2  DOC's projects and partnerships, 2010s -

Sirocco appointed "Official Spokesbird for Conservation", Jan 2010

• The kākāpō Sirocco was hatched on 23 March 1997 on Codfish Island. In 2009, the BBC wildlife documentary "Last Chance to See" was filmed in NZ with Stephen Fry and Codfish Island was visited. Zoologist Mark Carwardine had an encounter with Sirocco who was filmed unexpectantly climbing onto his head and flapping its wings in a mating dance. See clip: BBC TWO: Last chance to see - Sirocco's new love (3 min 21 secs). The programme was seen on television channels around the world and Sirocco's antics have attracted over 30 million viewers on Youtube. As well showcasing Sirocco, the episode also highlighted that the kākāpō are one of the world’s rarest parrots.

•  In January 2010, the NZ Prime Minister John Key launched NZ's involvement in the International Year of Biodiversity and named Sirocco the "Official Spokesbird for Conservation". Sirocco has his own Facebook and Twitter pages.  (Find out more: Department of Conservation: Sirocco the kākāpō conservation superstar)

Air New Zealand becomes a national partner, April 2012 - 

On 20 April 2012, the Department of Conservation became a national partner of DOC to provide travel and marketing support for conservation biodiversity projects:

• Conservation Dogs Programme (training and mentoring of over 120 specialised dogs used to detect protected species and unwanted pests)

• Threatened Species Transport (flying threatened species and conservation dogs to safe breeding sites as part of DOC's Recovery Programme)

• Great Walks Biodiversity (maintaining of pest control and species monitoring across hectares alongside New Zealand's iconic Great Walks).

Smart" backpack radio transmitters introduced during 2010s

• During the 2010s, small 'Smart" backpack radio transmitters were introduced to monitor each kākāpō's location, health, and activity, particularly during breeding seasons. The transmitters incorporate automated radio tracking systems (e.g. "SNARKS") that log movements when kākāpō are near each other.

• Female kākāpō wear "egg timer" transmitters which have activity sensors for recording nesting activity.  When the female's activity drops to a low level, this indicates that she is incubating egg/s on a nest and the length of time sitting on the nest. The "egg timer" also indicates how often and how long the female leaves the nest when she is feeding. A proximity sensor in the female’s transmitter can detect when another kākāpō transmitter is nearby.

• Male kākāpō wear "check-mate" transmitters which track mating activity. The transistors automatically record data and transmit it as a series of beeps, allowing rangers to know if a bird is alive, active, or mating. A proximity detector shows which females have spent time with the male, how long they were together, and how active they were together.

 See: RNZ: Our Changing World (23 March 2017: Alison Ballance "Tracking kākāpō the smart way" (Article & audio: 9:46 mins)

Kākāpō increased from 131 in April 2011 to 157 by July 2016

• By April 2011 there were 131 kākāpō being managed by DOC. The population had been boosted by eleven chicks (8 females and three males) being born on Whenua Hou/Codfish Island. Three of the chicks were by Solstice who had two females (Stella and Ihi) and a male (Kōmaru). Stella was the first chick successfully produced via artificial insemination.

• As the rimu crop, which is part of the kākāpō's natural diet, had not ripened, six of the eleven chicks on Whenua Hou/Codfish Island were taken to Invercargill in April 2011 to be hand-reared over the next seven weeks. The six chicks included Solstice's first born chick Stella (orginally nicknamed Solstice One) who was flown to Wellington Zoo's animal hospital for emergency treatment and recovered. When the hand-reared chicks were returned home, they had reached what was considered a healthy weight between 1.3kg and 1.8kg.  (See: Stuff.co.nz: Kiran Chug (8 June 2011), "Healthy kakapo chicks head home", Dominion Post )

• The chicks that had remained on Whenua Hou/Codfish Island were able to be fed by their mothers with supplementary food pellets and rimu fruit provided by staff and volunteers. 

• In April 2012, 10 kākāpō were translocated to the predator-free island of Little Barrier to test whether chicks could be raised without supplementary handfeeding. The trial concluded in 2023 when the results showed that supplementary feeding was necessary. The kākāpō were relocated south to predator-free breeding islands in Fiordland where they could receive the necessary management and feeding.

• By July 2016 there were 157 known kākāpō in NZ. Thirty-six chicks had been born that year on Whenua Hou (Codfish Island), Anchor Island, and Hauturu (Little Barrier Island) of which thirty-two chicks survived. Ten were hand-raised at DOC's Invercargill facility.  (Source: Department of Conservation: Security of threatened and at risk taxa - Kākāpō 2015-2016)

Kākāpō125+ project on genetic data, March 2016 - 

• Since being launched in March 2016, the Kākāpō125+ project has used genetic data to help the conservation of kākāpō by assisting its population growth. The project's name refers to the total of 125 kākāpō living when the project started. 

• Kākāpō125+ is a collaborative partnership involving DOC, Genetic Rescue Foundation, Ngāi Tahu, Science Exchange, Experiment.com, Otago University, Duke University, Rockefeller University and Genomics Aotearoa.  

• The project involves DNA sequencing the genome of all living kākāpō, as well as some museum specimens. The data is being used to aid the recovery of the number of kākāpō through reducing infertility and disease. The aims are to reduce inbreeding, manage mating, and improve chick survival by identifying genetic variations linked to disease, growth, and fertility.

  See: Department of Conservation: Kākāpō125+ gene sequencing

Meridian Energy becomes new corporate national partner, June 2016

• In June 2016, DOC's new corporate national partner for the Kākāpō Recovery Programme became Meridian Energy. The previous national corporate partner was Comalco from 1990 - 2015. Meridian joined nine other national commercial conservation partners and local business and community groups working with DOC.  See: Meridian: Kākāpō Recovery Programme.

DOC's next recovery phase for Kākāpō Recovery Programme

• The next phase of the recovery effort included funding research into new conservation techniques focused on kākāpō fertility success, genetics, nutrition and disease management; identify potential homes for new generations of kākāpō; and continue to work closely with Forest & Bird on kākāpō recovery.

Mauri Ora Kākāpō Trust managed by Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu formed in 2019

• In 2019, the Mauri Ora Kākāpō Trust was formed which is managed by Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu and receives donations and other funds from the public to support Kākāpō Recovery.

• Kākāpō had last bred in 2019 when a record number of 73 chicks were born. Promising signs for a successful 2022 breeding session was commented on by the Ngāi Tahu representative to the Kākāpō Recovery Group, Tane Davis:

  "Ngāi Tahu Whānui take great interest in participating and supporting the recovery of kākāpō by sharing their matauranga Māori knowledge, and managing the Mauri Ora Kākāpō Trust on behalf of Kākāpō Recovery.

  "All donations go directly to supporting the Mauri Ora - the vitality and health - of this critically endangered taonga species."

  Source: RNZ (4 June 2021) : Kākāpō breeding predicted for 2021-2022 summer.

3.3  Male-only sanctuaries trial commenced during 2020s 

• In 2020, as part of the Kākāpō Recovery Programme's expansion project, DOC decided to relieve the number of male and female kākāpō requiring close management on its three breeding sanctuaries.

• Three male sanctuaries were established: Pearl Is and (Oct 2020 -  ), Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari (July 2023 - ), and Coal Island / Te Puka-Hereka (May 2024 - )

(i) Pearl Island became first sanctuary for juvenile male kākāpō (Oct 2020 -    )

• Pearl Island is situated at the entrance to North Arm, Port Pegasus, at the southern end of Rakiura/Stewart Island. 

(a) Initially chosen as NZ's fourth breeding sanctuary until rats & weka spotted

• In 2020, Pearl Island was initially chosen as a breeding sanctuary for male and female kākāpō as it had been included in DOC's recent rodent eradication programme. The island had also previously been used as a temporary home during 1998-1999 for male and female kākāpō during the removal of kiore (rats) from Whenua Hou/Codfish Island which is sited 35 kms nearby. Five of the 24 females had nested and produced 14 eggs of which 5 had hatched and three chicks survived. Afterwards, the kākāpo and the chicks were then returned from Pearl Island to Whenua Hou/Codfish Island.  (See: G. P. Elliott (2006), "A simulation of the future of kakapo", Notornis, (v.53, No 1; pp. 164-172).

• However, when DOC staff visited Pearl Island, they discovered that rats had been able to re-enter by swimming 30km across from Rakiura/Stewart Island and weka were also present. While both would not be a threat to adults, they would pose a threat to eggs and young chicks. Hence, DOC decided that Pearl Island would not be suitable for breeding.

(b) DOC decided to only send juvenile male kākāpō not yet required for breeding programme

• Due to risk of rats and weka eating eggs or killing young chicks, DOC decided to only send male kākāpō not yet required for the breeding programme on the other sanctuary islands. 

• During October 2020, four juvenile male kākāpō were translocated to Pearl Island to stay until required for DOC's breeding programme on the other sanctuaries. The release of the four kākāpō on Pearl Island was attended by Ngāi Tahu, Predator Free Rakiura and Kākāpō Recovery Programme staff. See: DOC: Conservation blog: Kākāpō find a new home on Pearl Island (22 Oct 2020). 

• In July 2021, two more juvenile male kākāpō were translocated to Pearl Island. 

 NZ's kākāpō population peaked at 252 in 2022

• NZ's total known population had increased to 213 by 17 September 2019; then declined to 210 in June 2020. 

• During the next breeding season in 2022, the number peaked at 252. 

Additional sanctuary sites explored to relieve population pressure

• With the number of kākāpō increasing, DOC decided to relieve the population pressure on the existing sanctuaries by identifying additional sites. 

• During April 2022, a feasibility study commissioned by the Wellington City Council was carried out by Jim Lynch (founder of Zealandia) to establish a c.3000 hectare ecosanctury for kakāpo and other native birds at Wainuimoata, Lower Hutt called Puketahā. However, the projected costs, including erecting 29km of predator fencing, was considered too prohibitive at that time.  See: RNZ article (4 April 2022) : Puketahā: Kākāpō could find home within planned ecosanctuary

• Instead, Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari was considered as it already had a 47km pest-proof fence which had been completed in 2006. See: https://www.sanctuarymountain.co.nz/about-us/our-story

(ii) Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari second male sanctuary (July 2023 -    _)

• In July 2023, DOC's second male-only sanctuary for kākāpō commenced. The location chosen was Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari which is sited inland in the Waikato and has a 47km long and 2 metre high pest-proof fence. The male kākāpō were to be monitored to determine if a larger number could thrive at this site.

• The Sanctuary covers 3363 hectares of forest surrounded by farmland on the extinct volcanic mountain peak Maungatautari. In 1912, following a survey for wildlife, it was proposed that Maungatautari become a reserve to preserve the forest's species of conifer, broadleaf, and podocarp. Later in 1927, it was gazetted as the Maungatautari Scenic Reserve with c.2,530 hectares in 1927 under the Scenery Preservation Act 1903. Four Tainui hapū – Ngāti Raukawa, Ngāti Wairere, Ngāti Hauā and Ngāti Korokī – own land on Maungatautari's slopes.

• Over the decades, introduced mammals, including pigs, possums, rats, mice, cats, and mustelids, began to predate the native flora and fauna. In 2001, the Maungatautari Ecological Island Trust (MEIT) was formed by landowners, local iwi, and local residents to restore and protect Maungatautari's ecosystem from predators. Between 2002 - 2006, the Trust built a pest-proof fence approxmately two metres high and 47km long.  During the fencing project, the eradication of the introduced mammals was carried out, except for the mice which were not fully eradicated. Later on, when three enclosures were built inside the fenced area, the mice were successfully eradicated from those areas.

• Within the fenced area three small enclosures were created - Northern Enclosure (36 hectares), Southern Enclosure (65 hectares; and the Tautari Wetland Enclosure (3 hectares of private land donated in 2015). The enclosures keep a range of native flora and translocated animals, including birds like the North Island Brown kiwi, takahē, tuatara, gecko, giant weta, bats, Hochstetter's Frog, and rare freshwater fish. The Southern Enclosure also has the Manu Tīoriori Visitor Centre, 16-metre-high observation tower, and over 5 km of walking tracks.                                                                                                              See: Sanctuary Mountain website: https://www.sanctuarymountain.co.nz/about-us

• The Maungatautari Reserve Management Plan (RMP)  was developed under the Reserves Act 1977 and the Ngāti Koroki Kahukura Claims Settlement Act 2014. It sets out the collaboration between the Waipā District Council, mana whenua, Ngāti Koroki Kahukura, the Department of Conservation (DOC), and the Maungatautari Ecological Island Trust (MEIT).

During July - Sept 2023, ten male kākāpō arrived at Maungatautari

• In April 2019, a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) concerning the intention to translocate kakapo to Maungatautari had been completed and awaited sign-off by DOC and MEIT. Source: Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari Restoration Plan 2019–2029, (June 2019, p.22)

• On 27 July 2023, four male kākāpō - Bunker, Ōtepoti, Motupōhue and Māhutonga - who were aged four years were translocated from Whenua Hou to begin the trial at Maungatautari. They were released in the open area outside the three enclosures with their movements tracked by remote-download GPS tags

• On 13 September 2023, another six male kākāpō - Elwin (aged 15 years), Kanawera (aged 7 years), Manawanui (9 years), Tautahi (4 years), Taeatanga (9 years) and Manaaki (4 years) - arrived at Sanctuary Mountain taking the total to ten.

Several kākāpō escaped during Oct 2023 - April 2024 and were recaptured

• In Oct 2023, one of the ten male kākāpō, a four-year old named Tautahi, escaped outside the 2 metre high fence and was recaptured.

• Later in October - November 2023, three kākāpō escaped including Motupōhue who escaped twice and he was relocated to one of the island sancturies. To aid the management of the remaining kākāpō, two accompanied him - Manawanui and Kanawera who hadn't escaped but required high monitoring due to the time they were spending near the fence. 

• During January 2024, two kākāpō  - Elwin and Manaaki - escaped twice and were relocated to an island sanctuary. (DOC had decided to introduce the policy that if a kākāpō escaped twice, it would be translocated to an island sanctuary.)

• In early February 2024, kākāpō Māhutonga was removed from Sanctuary Mountain after escaping twice.

Escapee Ōtepoti took part in climbing fence trials before being removed in June 2024

• In April 2024, Ōtepoti escaped twice and was temporarily kept to take part in a climbing fence trial. The results showed that the kākāpō could not climb the fence, but were using overhanging, flexible vegetation that bent under their body weight to enable them to go over the top. See: RNZ (Aug 2024): A year of mainland kākāpō. After the trial, Ōtepoti was removed in June 2024.

• As to why the kākāpō were being frequently found near the fence line, DOC stated:

"One new theory for this is that the easy travel and interesting food sources (such as blackberry and grass seed) around the perimeter could be why they enjoy ‘living on the edge’. If so, it could be that they are unintentionally ending up on the other side, rather than any drive to get out... As a short-term measure a supplementary feeding regime has been set up to encourage the birds inland." 

       Source: Sanctuary Mountain: Keeping up-to-date with kākāpō (3 May 2024)

Three of the original ten kākāpō remain on Sanctuary Mountain from June 2024 - 

• Since June 2024, three kākāpō - Bunker, Tautahi, and Taeatanga - of the original ten have remained on Sanctuary Mountain. 

(iii) Coal Island/Te Puka-Hereka trialled as third make sanctuary (May 2024 -       )

• In 2004, the South West New Zealand Endangered Species Charitable Trust, known as the Coal Island Trust, was established by volunteers to restore Te Puka-Hereka (The Tied Anchor), commonly known as the Coal Island, in Fiordland as a sanctuary. 

• The Trust worked with DOC to eradicate stoats, deer, and rodents, and reintroduce rare and endangered native birds, plants and wildlife. Tokoeka (Haast kiwi) were translocated to the Island in 2009 and 2011; and South Island robins were transferred from Anchor Island in Dusky Sound in June 2015. See: Te Puka-Hereka: Coal Island Trust

DOC's fundraising 'Adopt a kākāpō' & corporate partner, 2020s       

• Since 2024, the Department of Conservation has made available the adopting of a kākāpō as a fundraiser.  See: Department of Conservation: Key kākāpō and Department of Education: Adopt a kākāpō. The female kākāpō Solstice, who was discovered in 1997 on Rakiura/Stewart Island, became the first ever 'special edition' adoption kākāpō, helping raise funds and awareness for DOC's Recovery Programme. Solstice died the following year from an infection. 

• In March 2026, DOC and Meridian renewed their partnership: Department of Conservation: DOC and Meridian Energy celebrate 10-years of powering Kākāpō Recovery (10 March 2026)

                                   >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

4.  Record-breaking breeding season celebrated in 2026 

Artificial insemination used to improve genetics and increase breeding success

• From the record high of 252 in 2022, the adult kākāpō population began to decline over the next three years during which breeding did not occur. DOC records state there were 248 kākāpō in 2023; 247 by 30 June 2024; and 242 by 30 June 2025.

• Research projects underway during 2025 "investigated many areas relating to kākāpō management, including disease, genetics, microbiology, habitat use, and diet. This included a vaccination trial for highly pathogenic avian influenza."      Source: DOC: Trends in the abundance and distribution of kākāpō 2024-2025

 Breeding populations of kākāpō on the three island sanctuaries

• During 2026, there were three breeding populations of kākāpō on Whenua Hou/Codfish Island near Rakiura (30 nests found), and Fiordland’s Pukenui/Anchor Island (39 nests) and Te Kākahu-o-Tamatea/Chalky Island (11 nests). DOC's Kākāpō Recovery Facebook kept #FridgeFriday updates which tracked the number of eggs laid by each kākāpō in the nests found on the three islands.

• On 7 May 2026, Birds New Zealand reported "The final number of Kākāpō eggs laid in 2026 is 258 with 106 chicks hatched of which 93 are alive today, including 3 that are currently in care."  Source: Birds New Zealand: Facebook. 

• Before the chicks left the nest, rangers visited to insert microchips as a permanent identification, and attached transmitters that enable the monitoring of the chicks' location and their activity levels remotely. See: RNZ podcast: Kākāpō Files II: Season 2, Episode 16: Kākāpō Chicks Growing Up (5 May 2026)

• As of 7 May 2026, the total adult population was 235. The new chicks would be included in the count of adult birds after they had passed 150 days old and are fully fledged juveniles. See: RNZ (7 May 2026): A clifftop rescue adds to kākāpō chick numbers.

 5.  DOC's 'Adopt a kākāpō' and Predator Free 2050 policy

DOC's fundraising 'Adopt a kākāpō'    

• Since 2024, the Department of Conservation has made available the symbolic adopting of a kākāpō as a fundraiser.  See: Department of Conservation: Adopt a kākāpō. The female kākāpō Solstice, who was discovered in 1997 on Rakiura/Stewart Island, became the first ever 'special edition' adoption kākāpō, helping raise funds and awareness for DOC's Recovery Programme. Solstice died the following year from an infection. See: Department of Conservation: Key kākāpō 

  Predator Free 2050 policy & eradication trial on Rakiura/Stewart Island

• In July 2016, the Government launched the Predator Free 2050 policy aimed at eradicating NZ’s most damaging introduced predators—mustelids (stoats, weasels, ferrets), rats, and brushtail possums – nationwide by the year 2050. In March 2020, DOC launched its Predator Free 2050 Strategy which it updated in 2026 to also include feral cats. See: Department of Conservation: Strategic documents

• DOC's current project, Predator Free Rakiura (PFR), had commenced in 2019 as a trial to guide other eradication projects in NZ. The intent is to improve the habitat for native wildlife by removing predators to enable various species, including kākāpō, to return to Rakiura/Stewart Island.  See: Department of Conservation: Predator Free Rakiura.

• On 21 February 2025, DOC announced that NZ has also joined the international Island Ocean Connection Challenge (IOCC) and pledged to restore Rakiura/Stewart Island, Maukahuka/Auckland Island and the Chatham Islands. See: Island-Ocean Connection Challenge (IOCC)

• In March 2026, DOC and Meridian renewed their corporate funding partnership: Department of Conservation: DOC and Meridian Energy celebrate 10-years of powering Kākāpō Recovery (10 March 2026)

DOC'S vision for kākāpō

Operations Manager Deidre Vercoe stated during an RNZ interview (12 May 2026):

"Our vision is to restore the mauri of the kākāpō, or the life force of the kākāpō. And that vision is to have kākāpō nameless, wandering through our forests, booming from the mountains and the hilltops around our cities and towns. Not to have a transmitter on, not to have a name and a well known history."

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6.  Artistic images of kākāpō & tributes

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FIND OUT MORE:

Department of Conservation: Kākāpo   https://www.doc.govt.nz/nature/native-animals/birds/birds-a-z/kakapo/

Department of Conservation: Kākāpō Recovery Update  https://www.doc.govt.nz/news/newsletters/kakapo-recovery-update/

Facebook: Kākāpō Recovery  https://www.facebook.com/KakapoRecovery/

Facebook: Sirocco Kākāpō   https://www.facebook.com/siroccokakapo/

Forest and Bird: Bird of the year   https://www.birdoftheyear.org.nz/

New Zealand Birds Online: Kākāpō http://nzbirdsonline.org.nz/species/kakapo

Wikipedia: Kākāpō https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kakapo

This DigitalNZ story was compiled in 2020 & updated in May 2026