Adopt a kākāpō: Special edition

Kākāpō adoptions provide a special way to support the conservation of this taonga species. Rakiura, the internet wonder mum, is up for a special edition email adoption.

About Rakiura – internet wonder mum

Rakiura needs no introduction after 15 weeks as the star of Kākāpō Cam - and now you can continue to be part of Rakiura’s story through this special edition adoption.

Rakiura hatched on 19 February 2002 on Whenua Hou/Codfish Island. She was named after Rakiura/Stewart Island, home to most of the founders of the kākāpō population.

She is the offspring of Flossie and Bill who were both discovered on Rakiura in 1982. Bill died in 2008 but Flossie is still alive and well today.

Rakiura has 10 living offspring, three females and seven males – Tōitiiti (2008), Tamahou and Te Atapō (2009), Tia and Tūtoko (2011), Taeatanga and Te Awa (2014), Mati-mā and Tautahi (2019) and the yet to be named Rakiura-A2 (2026). She also has many grandchicks.

Adopt Rakiura

There are three levels of adoption to choose from:

Bronze – $125
Silver – $250
Gold – $500

Prices are in New Zealand Dollars.

Email adoption

Digital only – no packaging, no postage, minimal carbon footprint and maximum support for Rakiura the kākāpō.

Available until 15 June 2026.

You’ll receive:

an adoption certificate by email – you can print, frame or gift it
at least two email updates about Rakiura in your 12-month adoption period
news from the Kākāpō Recovery Programme.

Postage pack adoption

Now sold out and no longer available.

Key information for your adoption

Email adoptions are available until 15 June 2026 and postage pack adoptions are available until they sell out.
Allow up to four weeks (New Zealand) or six weeks (international) for processing and delivery of postage packs, and two weeks for email.
Special edition certificates are not personalised.
Adoptions are valid for a 12-month period and are symbolic, non-exclusive and do not entitle you to ownership of the birds.
Adoptions are non tax-deductible and there is no automatic renewal.

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