Famously rediscovered in the Murchison Mountains in Fiordland in 1948, they have now expanded to more than 500 birds.
Eight takahē are roaming at the base of Farewell Spit in Golden Bay after they were moved there last week.
The release followed the recent completion of a predator-proof fence stretching across the base of the spit, supported by extensive ongoing predator control work in the area.
Department of Conservation Golden Bay operations manager Ross Trotter said in a statement it was incredible to have takahē roaming at Farewell Spit.
Farewell Spit was an internationally recognised ecosystem with incredible biodiversity values, he said, and it was great to see the nationally vulnerable takahē added to the mix.
Mr Trotter said visitors were reminded to give the takahē plenty of space, especially during breeding time and when they have chicks.
‘‘This is a trial sanctuary site for takahē, and we’ll be closely monitoring the birds to make sure they are settling in well.
‘‘This new location will also allow people to view this once-thought-to-be-extinct taonga species.
‘‘Our hopes are that the takahē will flourish in their new home.’’
Doc takahē recovery programme sanctuary sites leader Phil Marsh said eight takahē were moved from Gouland Downs in Kahurangi National Park to Farewell Spit on Wednesday last week.
Doc is winding down the Gouland Downs trial site.
‘‘It was bittersweet to move these birds,’’ Mr Marsh said.
‘‘Gouland Downs was the first wild trial site outside of Fiordland for takahē, which was a major milestone for the species’ recovery.’’
‘‘With the information available at the time, the site appeared promising.
‘‘However, the takahē didn’t thrive as well as we had hoped.
‘‘The food sources weren’t as good as we thought they would be; adult survivorship was lower than expected and there were some struggles with successful breeding to keep the population going.’’
Mr Marsh said the silver lining was lessons from Gouland Downs have made a huge difference to the recovery programme.
‘‘Choosing new wild sites is a complex balance of food and habitat availability, predator numbers, climate, terrain and the practical logistics of moving and monitoring the birds, and we now understand these things in more detail.’’
‘‘We’re excited to build on this knowledge at this new sanctuary site in.’’
Doc’s takahē recovery programme, supported by national partners Fulton Hogan and New Zealand Nature Fund, aimed to establish multiple self-sustaining wild populations of the threatened native bird.
The programme’s work includes a successful breeding programme, research and monitoring, identifying and establishing wild sites across the South Island, and advocating for the species. — Allied Media
