Orokonui Ecosanctuary Kākā w/ Elton Smith: September 29, 2021

Aotearoa’s beloved native kākā hit the news this week with the release of three new birds at the Orokonui Ecosanctuary in Ōtepoti, Dunedin as part of their South Island kākā breeding programme. The kākā are native parrots who gather to socialize in the mornings and evenings and are known for their boisterous calls and mischievous mid-air antics. This week on the Wire, Frances Wright spoke with Elton Smith, Conservation Manager at Orokonui Ecosanctuary, about the ups and downs of the programme and what it has been like watching the population numbers grow.