New Zealand Kākāpō Population Reaches 325 Birds

Key facts

• The kākāpō population has reached 325 birds, up from 51 when the recovery programme began in 1995.
• The 2026 breeding season produced a record 90 chicks, which were added to the official count on 1 September.
• The kākāpō is the world's heaviest parrot and is flightless, making it vulnerable to introduced predators such as cats, rats, and stoats.
• The species breeds only when rimu trees produce large quantities of fruit, typically every two to four years.
• Conservationists use a rapid DNA test to determine the sex of newly hatched kākāpō within about an hour.
• The population is concentrated on predator-free offshore islands including Whenua Hou/Codfish Island, Pukenui/Anchor Island, and Te Kāhaku/Chalky Island.
• The population increase marks the first time the species has crossed 300 birds in around 75 years.
• The recovery programme is now experimenting with reducing intensive management to help the birds become more self-sustaining.