Kokako are once again flying free in the Mount Bruce Scenic Reserve, following the first-ever release of pairs to the mainland.

Two pairs of kokako and a large male named Whakatere, after an ancestor of the donor iwi, Ngati Rereahu, were taken from Mangatutu ecological area in the Pureora Forest Park, a stronghold of the species, and released at the Mount Bruce Scenic Reserve today.

Rereahu iwi from Te Kuiti handed over the birds to Rangitaane O Wairarapa at a ceremony at Mount Bruce this morning, attended by over 100 people. This is a first step towards re-establishing a new North Island population in the wild.

Kokako became extinct in the lower North Island some 60 years ago, with the last sighting reported by Mt Bruce takahe recovery pioneer Elwyn Welch in the mid-1940s.

Once wide-spread throughout the North Island, the species has now vanished from the southern part of its former range with just 1200 birds remaining. Over the past 15 years, remnant populations of kokako have been managed and have recovered to become viable.

Department of Conservation Biodiversity Ranger Tony Silbery said to restore kokako to its original geographic range new populations have to be established in areas from which they have vanished.

“Even where they are currently surviving, there are populations on the verge of extinction that need an infusion of new birds. We want to spread the population out more.”

DOC bird specialist, Don Merton, who played a significant role in bringing the Chatham Island black robin and kakapo from the brink of extinction, spoke at the event;

“A major forest restoration programme has made it possible to release kokako and kiwi into the wild this year.”

“This is particularly significant for New Zealand and overseas visitors because Pukaha/Mt Bruce will be one of the only accessible places on the New Zealand mainland where people might hear the call of the kaka, kokako and kiwi in the wild.”

“This achievement is nationally significant because it exemplifies the work that DOC is doing to restore endangered species to the wild.”

The Mount Bruce (Pukaha) restoration project, supported by local iwi, Rangitaane O Wairarapa, the National Wildlife Centre Trust and the Department of Conservation, is making it possible for kokako and other endangered species to thrive in their former home. The 942ha Mt Bruce Scenic Reserve is now criss-crossed by a network of trails that contain traps and bait stations needed to support the intensive pest control operation underway in the forest.

Greater Wellington Regional Council and horizons.mw have also laid traps and bait stations within 2700 hectares of private land surrounding the Mount Bruce Scenic Reserve to create a buffer zone. Some neighbouring landowners are also supporting the project by undertaking pest control on their own land.

Funding for the project has been achieved through proceeds from the ‘sponsor a hectare’ campaign and sales of the Pukaha – Songs from the Forest CD. These contributions and those from key sponsors, the community and the Department of Conservation have made the forest restoration project possible.