A native bird that disappeared from the Auckland mainland more than 130 years ago is now settling in to a new life on Motuihe and Motutapu Islands, less than 30 minutes from the CBD.
The whitehead - or popokotea - vanished from the city during the 1880s, driven out by stoats, rats and the loss of native forest. They managed to survive on Little Barrier and, in 1989, 80 were transferred to Tiritiri Matangi island. The island's pest-free status helped them thrive and in 2003 40 were released in the Hunua Ranges. They have also been distributed to Moturoa Island, Ark in the Park the pest-controlled area of the Waitakere Ranges, and Tawharanui Regional Park north of Warkworth.
This month 50 whiteheads were captured and held in aviaries on Little Barrier before being flown by helicopter and released on Motutapu and Motuihe last Sunday. Thirty were taken to Motutapu and 20 to Motuihe. The Department of Conservation, Motuihe Trust, Motutapu Trust and local iwi were all involved.
Motuihe Trust chairperson John Laurence says the birds are a welcome addition to the tuatara, little spotted kiwi, karikari, bellbirds and other native wildlife which have been released on the island since it was made pest free in 2005.
Motutapu Restoration Trust chair Chris Fletcher says there's plenty of room on Motutapu and Rangitoto for a large whitehead population.