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There are now more than 200 kākāpō in Aotearoa. Not long ago, there were just 50.

It’s one of New Zealand’s most remarkable conservation successes – decades of careful protection have brought this extraordinary bird back from the edge. And it shows what’s possible when people come together for nature.

Kākāpō are unlike any other bird on earth. They are flightless and nocturnal, found only in Aotearoa. Instead of flying, they climb high into trees and glide back down. At night, males gather and release deep, resonant booming calls that echo across the forest.

They can live for decades, and breed only every few years, when native rimu trees produce enough fruit to sustain these enormous parrots.

Today, kākāpō live on predator-free offshore islands and within carefully managed sanctuaries. It’s what has allowed them to recover.

WWF (the World Wide Fund for Nature) is one of the world’s leading conservation organisations, working in over 100 countries to protect wildlife and restore ecosystems.

In Aotearoa, WWF partners with communities, businesses, and government to deliver practical, science-based solutions – from protecting native species to restoring forests, wetlands, and marine environments.

This work is part of a wider goal: Nature Positive – restoring more nature than we lose, so both people and the planet can thrive.

Protecting nature is a shared journey. Every time you choose Antipodes or donate to WWF-New Zealand at checkout, you’re helping to fund local and global efforts that safeguard wildlife, restore habitats, and support communities who are making a difference for our planet.