Northland - The 2004-2005 census counted 17 pairs in Mataraua. This season, three female chicks were moved from this population into captivity for the Puketi kokako project. Four pairs were found in Waima this season, but breeding was not monitored in this area.

Hunua Ranges - This season's kokako census found eight pairs and one single kokako; the single male's previous mate was injured and may have died over winter. Six pairs and the single kokako were monitored during the breeding season. Of five pairs attempting to breed, four pairs successfully fledged young while the fifth's nests failed. These five territories had additional trapping of rats and possums in their nesting areas, and there was no evidence of loss of nests to rats or possums. Five chicks successfully fledged and four were banded. Checks of the two unmonitored pairs in Jan - Feb 2006 yielded no sign of fledglings. It is not known if they are female/male pairs or if they attempted to breed this year.

We will be surveying outside the management area to see how many additional kokako are around. We are planning a transfer of kokako from Mapara to Hunua in July and August 2006.

King Country - Mapara is currently in the "off" phase of Pulse Management, which means that no predator control was undertaken in the area this season. The season's spring census recorded 77 pairs, the highest number of pairs to date for Mapara!

Pest control was successful at Waipapa, but no survey was completed this year: a four-yearly kokako survey is scheduled for March-April 2007.

Pukaha - Seven Kokako were transferred to Pukaha / Mount Bruce from Mapara in September 2005 and were closely monitored, post-release. Unfortunately one bird died after being released, however the other six birds, all wild-caught as pairs, have survived and gone on to establish territories. These three pairs appear to have established territories along the ridge behind the Visitor Centre building and in the adjacent valley. At least two of these pairs have made breeding attempts this season.

This breeding season has been very successful, with one established pair (Turk & Gale) known to have nested and successfully fledged a male chick. Two of the transferred pairs from Mapara have nested during the season; M4(M) and M5(F) abandoned a nest in December (for unknown reasons), but renested in February and are currently raising two chicks. M6(F) and M7(M) fledged two chicks (sex unknown) in January, and in February this pair renested again and are currently raising a single chick, bringing the total number of chicks raised this season to six. Video of the chicks will shortly be posted on the Pukaha website.

A census of the wild population was conducted in September, however the birds did not prove to be very responsive. Four possible territories were located (excluding recently released birds), but in only one could the birds be followed long enough to locate a nest.

Kapiti Island - A survey of the entire island found no new territories outside the core area. Within the core area (from Rangatira at sea level, up to Tuteremoana peak) there are 16 confirmed pairs, and one probable new pair. The sole change to established pairs was that Te Mauri was not seen this year and his mate, Bilbo, has shacked up with an unbanded bird. Breeding was not monitored this year on Kapiti Island, so it is not yet known how many chicks fledged over the season.

Boundary Stream - The September 2005 kokako survey located 17 of 20 birds. During the 2005-6 breeding season, two pairs nested twice (one currently being built), producing four chicks. All four chicks successfully fledged. One nest failed due to bad weather. A female-female pair built a nest, but did not incubate. There are currently 21 kokako at Boundary Stream Mainland Island (two breeding pairs, two female-female pairs, two juvenile pairs which did not breed this season, nine single sub-adults).

Bay of Plenty - Three consecutive years of pest control in the Mokaihaha Ecological Area ended in 2003. The following kokako census found 50 birds - 22 pairs, four singles and two sub-adults. The next planned pest control operation will be in 2007. DOC Rotorua Lakes Area Office has recently been approached by Landcare Research about including Mokaihaha in a proposed possum and rat control project, starting this year and running for three-four years.

In Rotoehu (Pongakawa Ecological Area), no pest control has taken place since Kaingaroa Timberlands' aerial 1080 operation in 2004. However DOC intends re-establishing bait station lines over the 440ha core area for future ground operations, with kokako monitoring to be undertaken.

The Kaharoa Kokako Trust and DOC did not conduct a full adult census this season, but one is planned for September 2006.

A recent survey of the Mamaku Forest Conservation Area located three kokako.

In the Opuiaki Ecological Area, surveys found seven pairs in October 2005 and two new pairs in February and March. Four pairs fledged chicks this season, and one of these re-nested in late March - this late nest is still active. The total at end of March 2006 within the core treatment area is nine pairs, four fledglings, and 13 singles. With apparent losses of birds from the southern area there has still been a net gain of three pairs from last season - possibly the first increase in pair numbers in Opuiaki since possums arrived. Pest control will continue in 2006, as will kokako monitoring.