File Ref: OIA 18-E-0962 / DOCCM-5632859
27 November 2018
Bridget Percy
[FYI request #9011 email]
Tena koe Bridget,
Thank you for your Official Information Act request to the Department of
Conservation, dated 16 November 2018.
Your letter states the following:
1.
The Pukaha website states that "In 1996 nine juvenile kākā were
released into our forest – returning them to the area after a 50 year
absence. We now have that population up to over 140 with the view to
achieve a self-sustaining population of 600 birds in the wild".
Contrary to this claim I understand that there have been very few kākā coming to
the 3pm kaka feed over the past few months and that one day last week only one
kaka came to the 3pm feed.
Your questions and our responses are listed below:
2.
How many monitored & unmonitored kākā do DOC estimate are currently
living in the Pukaha Forest?
The kaka population is estimated at 150+ birds. No birds are monitored.
3.
If there has been a decline from the 140 kākā indicated on the website what do
you put this down to?
There is no evidence that the kākā population is declining. There is a plentiful
supply of food in the forest and kākā are not reliant on the supplementary
food provided daily at 3pm. Early in the breeding season (August - October) it
is common for small numbers to turn up at the daily feed. At this time of the
year it is not unusual for no birds to show at all. Kākā attendance at the feed
station can be influenced by other factors such as available food sources or the
presence of raptors such as the New Zealand Falcon.
There are reports of kākā dispersing from Pukaha/Mount Bruce Forest and
living and breeding in neighbouring properties.
…/2
Department of Conservation Te Papa Atawhai
Lower North Island Regional Office
Private Bag 11010, Palmerston North 4442
www.doc.govt.nz
- 2 -
4.
When do you expect the self-sustaining population of 600 birds in the wild to
be achieved?
The Pukaha Board has an aspirational goal for the kaka population to be self-
sustaining but has not set a definitive target. The Board has a strategic goal of a
10 percent increase by 2021.
If you would like to discuss this information further, please contact Wairarapa
District Operations Manager Kathy Houkama
u [email address] 027 839
4626.
Naku noa, na
Reg Kemper
Director Operations, Lower North Island
0272 4856 860 |
[email address]