Sponsor a Kahurangi takahē

Introduction

Join Team Takahē and help us return takahē to the wild - sponsor a Kahurangi takahē today!

Highlights

The Takahē Recovery Programme is attempting a pioneering operation of establishing a second wild population of takahē in the heart of the Kahurangi National Park. Your support will help us push ahead with our goal of establishing this population as quickly as possible.

The six selected sponsor birds represent two established breeding pairs and two sub-adults, that are part of the 30 founding birds released into the Kahurangi National Park in Autumn 2018.

I support takahē.

Sponsor packages

Sponsor* a takahē for yourself or as a gift for somebody special.

Bronze, Silver and Gold sponsor packages all include:

  • a letter of thanks
  • a takahē print
  • a Takahē Recovery canvas tote bag
  • "I support Takahē Recovery" stickers

Silver also includes a Takahē Recovery USB.

Gold also includes a Takahē Recovery USB and Takahē Recovery hat.

Select a takahē and the level of sponsorship you'd like to make.

COVID-19: DOC can not provide this service
DOC is complying with the public health and social measures in response to COVID-19. This service is affected, and we can not provide it at this time.

DOC's response to COVID-19

Catlin – the Lioness

Catlin the takahē.
Catlin

Female
Hatch date: 7 November 2005

Catlin is a matriarch of the takahē breeding programme, successfully raising 11 chicks.

Catlin originated from the Murchison Mountains and was puppet raised by the rangers at the Burwood Takahē Centre.

She is a devoted mother and like a lioness she fiercely protects her young, both biological and foster chicks.

Shadowfax – the Noble

Shadowfax the takahē.
Shadowfax

Male
Hatch date: 25 November 2008

One for the Lord of the Rings fans – Shadowfax the takahē, brought down from the Murchison Mountains as a 10 day old chick, has a majestic air about him.

He likes to find a high point and watch over his family group with interest as hierarchies are tested. But like any good dad, he knows when to step in to ensure peace is restored.

Hyde – the Sanctuary Rep

Hyde the takahē.
Hyde

Female
Hatch date: 31 October 2010

Hyde was hatched by Hauhanga and Matariki at the Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari.

Hyde represents the invaluable contribution the network of 17 island and mainland takahē sanctuary sites make to the Takahē Recovery Programme. Through their success more takahē are being produced than ever and more birds, like Hyde, are able to be released into the wild.

Tametame – the Adventurer

Tametame the takahē.
Tametame

Male
Hatch date: 13 November 2010 

Tametame was born (although technically hatched) to be free.

He is always off on an adventure. He made quick work on the new internal fences at the Burwood Takahē Centre, escaping into the neighbouring pen and causing quite a raucous.

So exploring his new home in Kahurangi will suit Tametame down to the ground.

 

Scoop – the Pioneer

Scoop the takahē.
Scoop

Male
Hatch date: 28 October 2016 

Scoop gets his name from the nickname of the young journalist who reported the story of Dr Orbell rediscovering the takahē in the Murchison Mountains in 1948. He filed the story late one day, unbeknown to him that it would make international news.

So Scoop the journalist was there at the beginning of the takahē recovery story and now Scoop the takahē is here at the beginning of establishing a new wild takahē population.

Ehara – the Surprise Chick

Ehara the takahē.
Ehara

Female
Hatch date: 9 November 2016

Ehara, meaning 'surprise' was aptly named as she was produced from her presumed infertile parents Paku and Quammen.

Making the news as a miracle chick she was an unexpected but welcomed addition to the takahē population.

Raised by her foster parents at the Te Anau Bird Sanctuary, we hope Ehara will go on to successfully contribute to building the Kahurangi takahē population.

* Sponsorship of individual takahē are not exclusive. Multiple people can sponsor the same bird. As takahē are a taonga (treasured) species to New Zealand Māori, the sponsorship is symbolic and does not entitle people any ownership of the birds.

Back to top