Bogans in the bush
Kākā chick nesting in an old, Ōtari hinau. Photo Rob Suisted/NZ Geographic
Ōtari-Wilton’s Bush, in particular its old growth forest that provides great nesting and feeding habitat for kākā, features in this NZ Geographic look at the ‘second coming’ of kākā in Wellington. The species had become extinct in the city until introduced into the predator-free, fenced sanctuary of Zealandia, in 2002. Of course the fence didn’t stop kākā from exploring further afield, and they soon spread and multiplied throughout the wider city, including just down-valley to Ōtari, where they love the old, hollow hinau trees for nesting, and the abundant natural food sources. Years of predator-control by RAMBO, Wellington’s first community volunteer trapping groups, has enhanced the Ōtari habitat and the flashy plumage and boisterous antics of Ōtari’s kākā are now a delight to behold. For a thorough look at kākā in Wellington, the studies being enabled by this flourishing population, and why Kaiwhakahaere Ōtari Manager, Tim Park, affectionately describes them as the bogans of the bush, read the full story here: https://www.nzgeo.com/stories/forty-names-for-kaka/
Posted: 26 December 2025