Calling Mackenzie bird spotters – DOC needs you!

Source: NZ Department of Conservation

Date:  29 October 2025

Kakī are among the worlds’ rarest wading birds and were close to extinction with only 23 left in 1981. Their numbers have slowly increased to around 150 and they have the highest threat ranking of ‘nationally critical’.

This spring the kakī breeding season in the riverbeds of the Mackenzie District started well with Department of Conservation (DOC) staff monitoring nests and eggs as usual. However, recent turbulent spring weather, including high winds, heavy rain and river flooding may force kakī to move from their usual nesting sites in the braided riverbeds, wetlands, and farmland to seek out new areas elsewhere. The weather may have created new habitat for kakī, and DOC staff would like to know where the birds are.

DOC Ranger Marianne Marot says they are asking people to help spot the birds, record their location and notice what colour bands they have on their legs so they can be identified.

“Kakī could be nesting around wetlands and tarns or ponds, on river terraces and even farmland. They could be anywhere there is water. With so many tarns quite full there are plenty of places for them to be.

“We especially want farmers to look out for them. Many stations in the Mackenzie basin are very supportive of the kakī recovery programme and allow DOC staff to enter and search for the birds, but the stations are large making it very difficult for staff to cover the entire area and find newly created hidden ponds.”

Marianne says every sighting matters and asks people who spot one of the birds to try and accurately record where they are, take a photograph without disturbing the nests, and try and record their coloured leg band.

“We need to keep track of where they are and where the nests are. Eggs collected in the wild are incubated and reared at DOC’s captive breeding aviaries in Twizel as well as at The Issac Conservation and Wildlife Trust facility in Christchurch. These efforts are essential to boost population numbers.

“This is one way the public can really do their bit for nature. This is what ‘naturing” is all about – you’re contributing to the survival of this precious taonga. Kakī are really battling for survival every season, not only against habitat loss and the weather, but also introduced predators such as ferrets, stoats, hedgehogs, and feral cats. It doesn’t take much to wipe out nests and chicks through predation or an unseasonal weather event so there’s a lot of risk for these beautiful little birds,” she says.

“They’re distinctive to look at with their striking black plumage and long dark pink/reddish legs. We’d love the public to help us spot them. You can really play your part in ensuring their survival.

“Kakī used to be found throughout New Zealand, but now they are mainly in the Mackenzie basin. There was one pair seen near Makarora last year, and they’re also regularly spotted in the Rangitata River area. One was even spotted in Auckland which is very unusual. So, while the population is predominantly down here, for everyone outside the Mackenzie basin, have a look at the photos of kakī /black stilt, you never know when you might see one.”

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MIL OSI