In a world first, a kākāpō laid an egg in real time on a live stream hosted on DOC’s YouTube channel.
Images of the 23-year-old Rakiura were transmitted to the world from a large cavity beneath a rātā tree on Whenua Hou/Codfish Island. Because Rakiura returns to the nest site so reliably, DOC was able to make modifications over the years to keep it safe and dry, including adding a well-placed hatch for monitoring eggs and chicks.
This is the first breeding season for this critically threatened species since 2022.
DOC says there is still much to learn about these nocturnal, elusive parrots. Through Kākāpō Cam, they hope to gain greater insight into female nesting behaviour. Read more from DOC.
2026 breeding activity so far:
AllTrails names world’s 8 top hiking trails to visit in 2026
AllTrails, an online platform that specialises in curating trails for nature lovers, recently released its Travel-Worthy Trails list, which features what they consider to be the top destinations for hiking in 2026.
The list was created using information curated by AllTrails reviewers and in-house experts. This list includes Queenstown, which AllTrails dubs the ‘Adventure Capital of the World’ and highlights the region’s efforts to become the first tourist town to have a carbon-zero visitor economy by 2030.
The full list includes:
Detector Gadget comes out of retirement to hunt rat on Ulva Island
A semi-retired specialist investigator has been called back to active duty after an intruder was discovered in a sanctuary off the coast of Rakiura Stewart Island. Detector Gadget, a rodent-sniffing dog, is patrolling Ulva Island after a young female rat was found in a trap there earlier this month.
Gadget’s handler, Sandy King, told Checkpoint that after thorough checking no rats had been found on the island. King said with Gadget’s experience, she was sure that if there had been a rat on the island, it would have been sniffed out.
Despite being called back to duty on Ulva Island, Gadget’s recent months have been spent easing towards retirement.
“She turned 13 in November … but she’s still fairly active and capable of doing jobs like we’ve just finished. So, yeah, she came out of retirement, dusted off her vest and muzzle and went to work.
King said that Gadget’s official retirement is on the horizon and expects her to step back from work in about six months. However, if people want to keep up with her adventures, they can follow Detector Gadget’s Facebook page.
Mautohe Cathedral Cove track reopens, other tracks remained closed
DOC’s Coromandel operations manager, Nick Kelly, said the popular tourist spot had been closed under the Trigger Action Response Plan in response to an extreme rain event across the upper North Island that had the potential to trigger slips and landslides.
The decision to reopen the track followed a geotechnical assessment on January 28.
“We have a large body of data about landslide and rockfall risk at Mautohe Cathedral Cove, a lot of experience managing the site, and combined with our TARP, we’re able to make well-informed and quick decisions, like this one to reopen the track,” he said.
However, he said the Mautohe track remained under the landslide risk management approach.
Other tracks are also taking the brunt of this summer’s wild weather. Kelly said there has also been a large landslide on the closed Hahei coastal track to Grange Rd, and work at Waimata Gemstone Bay remained on hold, and the track was not open to the public.
Matarangi Bluff Track is also impassable, with the current slip very close to a historical slip in the same area. And the North Coromandel campsites remained closed. Read more from One News.
1000th toroa chick hatches at Pukekura
Department of Conservation (DOC) staff have been working around the clock over the past couple of weeks, with chicks breaking out of their eggs every day.
When the colony first started with one breeding pair in 1938, through until 2007, 500 chicks hatched. It’s only taken us under 20 years to double that number, so we are getting better at it. We are supported by such great scientists from around the world who are just as excited as we are,” Biodiversity Ranger Sharyn Broni said.
Cornell Lab Bird Cams Project Lead Ben Walters says the team is thrilled to be part of the milestone event. “A thousand chicks hatched at Pukekura/Taiaroa Head is more than a number. It’s a testament to decades of science-based conservation and care for one of the world’s most extraordinary seabirds. The Cornell Lab is proud to collaborate with the New Zealand Department of Conservation to share the lives of northern royal albatross on camera and inspire a global awareness that supports future generations at this growing breeding colony.” Read more from DOC.
34 years of inspiring New Zealanders to explore the outdoors. Don’t miss out — subscribe today.
Questions? Contact us
