Image: Matt Binns | Creative Commons
Kōkako.
Kaharoa Conservation Area

Located in the Bay of Plenty region

Kaharoa and the adjoining Onaia Ecological Area are renowned for the endangered kōkako. You can walk the Kōkako Track through forest to a secluded spot at Onaia Stream.

From Rotorua, access is via Tauranga Direct Road, Kaharoa Road, and finally Kapukapu Road.

Dogs, horses, vehicles (including bikes and motorbikes), fires, removal of plants or animals, and hunting without permit are not permitted in the Kaharoa Conservation Area and the Onaia Ecological Area.

Kōkako were once common in lowland forest but are now endangered. Their numbers have fallen dramatically since European colonisation. Fewer than 1400 survive in the North Island.

The kōkako may be our most beautiful songbird, using a variety of sounds including clicks, buzzes and mews, especially around dawn.

In recent years the Kaharoa Kōkako Trust, DOC, Environment Bay of Plenty and volunteers have improved the forest health and the numbers of kōkako in the area has increased.

There are also good populations of tui, bellbirds, whiteheads, robins, morepork owls, native pigeons and even a few North Island brown kiwi.

An impressive range of native trees include rimu, totara, kohekohe, tawa, puriri, rewarewa,mahoe, kamahi, nikau and mamaku. Deep gorges shelter the rare kingfern (para).

You can help the survival of the kōkako - get involved with the Kaharoa Kōkako Trust.