Image: DOC
A black and white still image of a kākāpō appearing to look directly at the camera from within its nest.
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 adoption as part of a special edition email or postage pack adoption.

About Rakiura – internet wonder mum


Kākāpō soft toy sizes

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.

You can pick an email adoption or postage pack adoption.

Email adoption

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

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

You'll receive a limited edition Rakiura adoption pack in the post. The postage pack includes:

  • 1x soft toy kākāpō
    • bronze level - 12 cm tall
    • silver level - 22 cm tall
    • gold level - 33 cm tall
  • 1x Rakiura adoption certificate (not personalised)
  • 1x Rakiura cartoon – artwork by Sarah Maybe Little
  • 3x Rakiura stickers – artwork by Sarah Maybe Little
  • 3x Rakiura bookmarks
  • 3x Kākāpō Recovery supporter stickers
  • at least two email updates about Rakiura in your 12-month adoption period
  • news from the Kākāpō Recovery programme.

Key information for your adoption

rakiura-sticker-390.jpg
Sarah Maybe Little Rakiura sticker

  • 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.

Contact

For further enquiries contact us at kakapoadoptions@doc.govt.nz.

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