Kokako Management

How to protect kokako
Pest control
Kokako numbers
Translocations

How to protect kokako
The main threats to native birds living in trees are climbing animals such as possums, ship rats and stoats. Of these, possums and ship rats have been identified through research as the major predators of kokako. They prevent the birds from breeding by eating both eggs and chicks. While the kokako female can put up a fight, she cannot prevent them from relentlessly killing her young.

Although cats, dogs, ferrets and other animals constitute a serious threat to ground-dwelling birds, like the kiwi, these animals do not significantly impact kokako numbers.

In a nutshell, you protect kokako by killing possums and ship rats.


Pest control
Pest control carried out prior to the nesting season enables kokako to breed successfully. The main targets of pest control are possums and ship rats. Toxic baits are used to control these animal pests, which they eat from bait stations.

The Trust has established a large track network with around 550 bait stations located throughout the forest. Up to 60 dedicated volunteers provide the manpower to maintain these tracks and fill the bait stations.

Stoats are also recognised as an important pest and these animals are trapped.

Interested in more information on pest control?
See our Pest Control fact sheet [174 Kb PDF]
Contact your local regional council.


Kokako numbers
In 1997 there were 26 kokako counted in the Kaharoa Forest, and the numbers were decreasing due to lack of pest control. When an adult census was conducted in 2006 there were 121 adult kokako counted, with a large number of juveniles. These numbers are increasing thanks to ongoing pest control.

Interested in more information on kokako numbers?
See our 2006 adult census report [2.8 Mb PDF]
For national figures see the Kokako Recovery Group website.


Translocations
The Kaharoa kokako population is now the fourth largest in New Zealand. It is seen as an important source of birds for restoring kokako numbers in other protected areas as part of a national kokako recovery programme.

Translocations involve moving surplus birds from protected areas into other protected areas. This is an important any of introducing genetic diversity to fragmented populations.

In 2003, two female birds were moved to Lady Alice Island in Northland for Puketi Trust. One of these birds has formed a stable pairing with a local male.

Translocations are managed on a national basis by the Kokako Recovery Group (DOC).