- Conservation status
- In serious trouble
Staunch, fierce, rare and beautiful, kakī exemplify the qualities of true New Zealanders. Once common and widespread throughout most of Aotearoa, these long-legged charmers are now only found in the braided river habitats of the MacKenzie Basin. Kakī found itself on the brink of extinction by the 1980s, with only 23 birds left in the wild – anumber that has slowly increased to about 170 today.
Campaign Manager
Kakī Recovery Programme and Te Manahuna Aoraki Project
Kakī (black stilt) are the world’s rarest wading bird. Staunch, fierce, loyal and stunningly beautiful they have stared extinction in the face and come out on top. With only 23 left in the wild back in the 80s there are now over 150 kakī that call Te Manahuna (the Mackenzie Country) home. This iconic species lives in the shadow of our tallest mountain Aoraki Mount Cook. It is time for kakī to come into the light. Kakī for Bird of the Century.
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