Looking to a wild future for kākāpō

About this episode

The episode discusses the kākāpō recovery programme and the steps needed to restore these birds to their natural habitat.

Today kākāpō breed on three remote islands, each bird wears a transmitter and they are carefully monitored and minded. But the ultimate goal of the kākāpō recovery programme is to restore the mauri of the kākāpō – to have them back in our forests as wild, nameless birds. What are the steps to get there, and how can science help keep kākāpō safe through this transition? Sign up to the Our Changing World monthly newsletter for episode backstories, science analysis and more. Learn more: Kākāpō need new habitat, could fenced ecosanctuaries be an option? That’s why kākāpō were released into Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari in July 2023, to start a trial of how they would do in this new, mainland, North Island habitat. A year later, there had already been a lot of lessons learned. One of the possible future habitats mentioned by Deirdre Vercoe is South Westland , where a massive effort is underway to clear stoats, possums and rats from a huge area. For all the details about this record-breaking breeding season, listen to the Kākāpō Files podcast . Guests: Deirdre Vercoe, Kākāpō and Takahē recovery programme operations manager, Department of Conservation Dr Andrew Digby, Kākāpō and…

People in this episode

Guests: Deirdre Vercoe, Dr Andrew Digby

Topics covered

• kākāpō recovery
• wildlife conservation
• habitat restoration
• science and technology
• New Zealand ecosystems

Keywords

• kākāpō
• conservation
• habitat
• New Zealand
• breeding
• ecosystem
• stoats
• possums
• rats

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Department of Conservation

Books & works: Kākāpō Files podcast

Places: Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari, South Westland

More episodes of Our Changing World

• Working towards a pest free Purerua-Mataroa peninsula · June 1, 2026 · 28 min
• Hydrogen detectives · May 25, 2026 · 27 min
• How can Aotearoa eliminate cervical cancer? · May 18, 2026 · 25 min
• A time of change for kākāpō · May 4, 2026 · 27 min
• A taste for science · April 27, 2026 · 28 min
• Keeping the South Island Psa-V free · April 20, 2026 · 27 min