Kākā have been released | Update 27 May 2026
🌿Nau mai, haere mai ngā kākā!
On Wednesday 27th May, we released three more kākā into the Brook Waimārama Sanctuary, joining the three released last month. These efforts are part of our long-term ambitions to reintroduce a thriving kākā population to the Brook Waimārama Sanctuary and the surrounding Te Tauihu / Top of the South forests.
All six kākā have been given names by Ngāti Apa ki te Rā Tō 🌿Rotopōhueroa – Female 🌿Rotomairewhenua,🌿Rotoroa, 🌿Rotoiti, 🌿Paratitahi and 🌿Paraumu all Males. These birds are part of a South Island kākā breeding programme and have now taken their first flight from their temporary aviary into their new home — another important step in our species reintroduction efforts. If you’re in the Brook area and hear their distinctive call, or catch a glimpse of olive-brown in the canopy, take a moment to appreciate it. We’d also love to hear about any sightings from the community.
Keep watching, as there may be opportunities to see the kākā coming and going from the aviary. This release was made possible through collaboration with Ngāti Apa ki te Rā Tō, Department of Conservation, Natureland Zoo, World Parrot Trust, and Nelson City Council.