Pōpokotea Return to Mataia

This week marked a special milestone for conservation in the Kaipara, as 40 pōpokotea / whitehead were reintroduced to Mataia in a carefully coordinated translocation from the rohe of Ngāti Manuhiri to Ngāti Whātua o Kaipara.

Before the birds began their journey, a blessing was bestowed for their safe passage into their new home, acknowledging the deep connection between manu, whenua and tangata whenua, and the shared responsibility of caring for Te Taiao.

The birds were carefully captured by Kevin Parker alongside a dedicated team of volunteers from Shakespear Regional Park, where years of commitment from staff and volunteers of the Shakespear Open Sanctuary Society (SOSSI) have helped restore a thriving and stable pōpokotea population.

Pōpokotea are small, energetic forest birds found only in the North Island of Aotearoa. Known for their striking pale heads and constant cheerful chatter, they move through the forest canopy in noisy social groups and are often heard before they are seen. Sometimes referred to as the “bush canary,” their calls bring life and movement to healthy native forests.

Historically, pōpokotea were far more widespread across the North Island, but habitat loss and introduced predators such as rats and stoats caused severe declines, particularly in the upper North Island. Because they are reluctant to cross open spaces, isolated populations can struggle to recover naturally once lost. Predator-controlled sanctuaries and translocations like this one are helping restore the species to parts of its former range.

The release at Mataia follows extensive preparation to ensure predator numbers remain extremely low and that suitable habitat is available, with abundant food, shelter, and safe nesting sites waiting for the birds. That groundwork is critical. A safe environment gives these small manu their best chance of settling in, pairing up and eventually raising the next generation.

The move itself was a finely tuned operation. Birds were carefully captured, checked and transported on the same day to minimise stress before being released into their new forest home.

One of the highlights of the day came during the release itself, as representatives from Ngāti Whātua o Kaipara sang waiata throughout the release while pōpokotea called through the ngahere around them, a powerful and emotional moment that reflected the connection between culture, community and conservation.

Following the release, everyone involved was warmly hosted for afternoon tea at Te Aroha Marae.

Ngā mihi nui to all those whose dedication, planning and collaboration made this translocation possible. Every successful release strengthens the vision of connected, thriving ecosystems where native wildlife can once again flourish.