Crowned Bird of the Year in 2016, this blue-wattled beauty stands proud on the $50 note. The enigmatic North Island kōkako is high on most people’s birds-to-see wish list. Once heard and seen, you won’t soon forget the experience. The North Island kōkako is a large blue-grey songbird (38cm, 225g) with long legs, a velvet […]
About the author
Michael Szabo
Michael Szabo is the author of Wild Wellington and Native Birds of Aotearoa, editor of Birds New Zealand magazine, and writes for Greenpeace Aotearoa. He has explored all 14 national parks, the Chatham Islands and the Subantarctic Islands. He has also written for New Scientist, NZ Geographic, Sunday Star Times and The Listener, and is a former editor of Forest & Bird magazine. He has a joint honours degree in communications and cultural studies from the University of Leeds. His favourite food is bagels.
The 2026 Wilderness Outdoor Photographer of the Year competition
A tale of adventure and tragedy
Mt Peel, Kahurangi National Park
A lofty location for Brass Monkey
The trail of the tenacious
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