Twice declared extinct, the kākāriki karaka is taking tentative steps towards recovery. If you’re walking the Harper Pass Route, keep your eyes and ears open because you never know, a kākāriki karaka or orange-fronted parakeet could happen by. It is New Zealand’s rarest mainland forest bird, so the odds are low, but nevertheless a sighting […]
About the author
Kathy Ombler
Freelance author Kathy Ombler mostly writes about outdoor recreation, natural history and conservation, and has contributed to Wilderness for many years. She has also written and edited for other publications and websites, most recently Federated Mountain Club’s Backcountry, Forest & Bird, and the Backcountry Trust. Books she has authored include Where to Watch Birds in New Zealand, Walking Wellington and New Zealand National Parks and Other Wild Places. She is currently a trustee for Wellington’s Ōtari-Wilton’s Bush Trust.
The 2026 Wilderness Outdoor Photographer of the Year competition
A tale of adventure and tragedy
Mt Peel, Kahurangi National Park
The trail of the tenacious
A lofty location for Brass Monkey
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