Nearly all New Zealand’s small native birds are endemic – this means they are only found here. Many have unusual and distinctive characteristics – such and short legs, flightlessness – which indicates they had very few predators at one time.

According to Maori legend (Maori are the indigenous people of New Zealand) all birds are the sacred offspring of Tane (god of the forest) and guardians of Te Wao Nui a Tane – the great forests of Tane.

We now share their only home, so the responsibility for the continued existence of our birds and their ecosystems is entirely up to us.

The aim of the Pukaha Restoration Project is to reintroduce local bird species back to the forest and ensure these populations thrive.