Image: Tony Lilleby | DOC
Mapara fores.
Mapara Track

Located in Mapara Wildlife Management Reserve in the Waikato region

You can hear and sometimes see kōkako and other birds on the Mapara Track.

Park on the side of the road, cross the swingbridge and take the  loop track to the right.

The best time to hear the extraordinary call of the kōkako is at dawn and dusk, however if you are patient you may hear and see them during the day. Take a pair of binoculars.

The Mapara Wildlife Reserve and track is about 35 km southeast of Te Kuiti. Turn on to Kopaki Road from either SH4 or SH30 and then Mapara South Road to the small kiosk at the reserve entrance.

There is extensive logging on Mapara South Road and it’s a narrow gravel road. Use caution when travelling Mapara South Road.
  • Bring binoculars to get close-up views of the birds.
  • Bring a head torch if you plan to walk the track before dawn.

A range of native birds may be seen along the track, including New Zealand falcon/karearea, Australasian Harriers, grey warbler/riorio, shining and longtail cuckoo. There are also kereru, fantail, bellbird, tui, and silver-eyes.

Kōkako may also be heard and sometimes seen from the track, and long-tailed bats maybe seen at dusk and dawn from the track.

The more common forest birds may be seen anywhere along the track, however kōkako are best seen from halfway up the loop track and beyond.