26 Nov 2010

Kokako again breeding in the Waitakeres

9:23 am on 26 November 2010

Te Kawerau a Maki is excited at the prospect of kokako once more repopulating its home territory, Te Waonui O Tiriwa (the Waitakere Ranges).

Spokesperson Eru Thompson is welcoming the discovery of a breeding nest this week, established by a pair of the birds which were moved there from Pureora forest in the King Country earlier this year.

He told Waatea News the tribe has been involved every step of the way in the re-introduction of the manu into the Ark in the Park, an area of the bush that has been cleared of predators.

"We haven't heard kokako for a very long time," he said.

The kokako eggs are expected to hatch in about two weeks.