Maungatautari welcomes more kākāpō and Mahoenui giant wētā in landmark release

Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari has reached a significant conservation milestone with the arrival of two new kākāpō and more than 100 Mahoenui giant wētā on Thursday, 22 October 2026. The release, which took place at the Waikato ecosanctuary, marks 25 years of ecological restoration and strengthens a mainland habitat trial that began in 2023. This effort is a collaboration between the Department of Conservation’s (DOC) Kākāpō Recovery Programme, Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu, and local mana whenua. The two male kākāpō joined three others already residing at the site, which is protected by a 47-kilometre pest-proof fence. Tāne Davis, the Ngāi Tahu representative on the Kākāpō Recovery Group, noted that Ngāi Tahu feels a strong sense of responsibility toward the kākāpō as a taonga. He emphasised the importance of finding new homes for the manu through partnerships with mana whenua to support the growing national population, which has now reached 325 birds. Simultaneously, 122 Mahoenui giant wētā were released following a successful breeding programme at Ōtorohanga Kiwi House. This project was conducted in partnership with Ngāti Maniapoto, mana whenua, and DOC. Tyler Lloyd of Ōtorohanga Kiwi House described the release as a rewarding moment for those who raised the insects, seeing them finally take their place in the forest. For the iwi involved, including Ngāti Koroki Kahukura, Ngāti Hauā, Raukawa, and Waikato, the restoration of the maunga is a matter of spiritual health. Sanctuary co-chair and Ngāti Koroki Kahukura representative Norma Taute explained that Maungatautari is a tūpuna (ancestor) to mana whenua. She stated that the return of these species helps restore the mauri of the maunga and honours the responsibilities of kaitiaki through kotahitanga (unity).