“Neighbourhood policeman” celebrates an impressive quarter century

Morag Fordham knows Te Hari probably better than anyone. The kōkako team leader explains the background to this respected senior who has become a bit of a celebrity on the Island.

Te Hari, who turned 25 late last year, is one of the oldest kōkako recorded in New Zealand. He has always been considered one of our most handsome males with his very large, impressive wattles, which he has passed on to some of his sons.

There was great excitement when he arrived on Tiritiri Matangi in March 1998, along with his three brothers. They joined their older brother Te Koha Waiata and his mate Cloudsley Shovell, who had been released on to the Island the previous year. It was hoped these birds would establish a population to help conserve the Taranaki kōkako lineage.

Te Hari hatched on November 4, 1997, and when he arrived on the Island he established a territory around the upper Kawerau Track. He held this until February 2022 when his partner, Phantom, paired up with their grandson. Since then he has maintained a low profile. He has recently been seen on his own close to that area and as far away as the northern end of Ridge Rd, near the junction with NE Bay Track.

His first partner on the Island was Shazbot (autumn 2000) and during the time they were together they fledged three chicks. When Shazbot was translocated to the Hunua Ranges in 2008, Te Hari paired up with Piper and, in January 2009, they successfully fledged one chick. Sadly, Piper died in November 2009 and, after a brief liaison with Punga, he was joined by Phantom who remained his partner until February last year. Over this time they successfully fledged 12 chicks, some of whom were translocated, while others are still on the Island today.

When it was decided to try a couple of egg swap experiments with the Hunua Ranges as a way of trying to improve the kōkako genetics on Tiritiri Matangi, Te Hari and Phantom were selected as foster parents. Although they were successful in raising one fledgling, Hunua, he unfortunately disappeared.

Te Hari is very relaxed around people and, as a result, is much photographed. From time to time, when there is a melee of kōkako chasing one another through the trees, it often seems to disperse when Te Hari, nicknamed “the neighbourhood policeman”, arrives to restore order.

Above: Te Hari, right, with Phantom.