Kōkako continue to thrive in Opuiaki

The management of the Opuiaki area has been the shared responsibility of Te Papa Atawhai, Ngamanawa Incorporation, Ngati Hangarau and The Ngamanawa Whanau Hunting club for many years.

Craig Marwick, Ngamanawa Operations Manager says they've managed to implement a well-managed pest control programme thanks to the incredible community support.

"Recently, with the help of Manaaki Kaimai Mamaku Trust, Jobs for Nature Project, TECT and Bay Trust we have been able to continue to employ our Nga Mata Hiringa Team to carry out a predator control operation in our >1,500-ha block" he says.

These sustained efforts ensure taonga are protected from predators.

2023 kōkako survey results

Thanks to this hard mahi, the kōkako population in Opuiaki, an area within the Kaimai Mamaku, has grown by 21% since 2021.

23 kōkako pairs and 8 territorial singles were recorded in the 2023 kōkako survey! An increase from 18 pairs and six singles in 2021, and 10 pairs and 11 singles in 2019.

"This is an exciting trend, showing the hard mahi is paying off,” says Craig Marwick.