Andrew Digby, birdman

His commitment to kākāpō and takahē recovery is unrivalled, and it’s turned him into a bit of a social media star. Michelle Langstone talks to DOC science advisor Dr Andrew Digby on changing careers, his love for Twitter, and what it really takes to protect one of New Zealand’s most beloved birds. I meet Andrew … Read more

The Irishman who stuffed New Zealand’s birds

Catherine Woulfe goes searching for the legacy of one of New Zealand’s first taxidermists.  This story originally ran in Barker’s 1972 magazine under the title Legacies: He Never Quit the Hustle. Birds! In the 1800s they were everywhere. Huia, kōkako, takahē, kākāriki – all clamouring to be shot and stuffed and stuck on a mantle. Into this cornucopia … Read more

Once thought extinct, takahē have a brand new home

The renewal of the takahē population is one of the most remarkable stories of survival in New Zealand’s conservation history. Alison Ballance was there for the 70th anniversary of their rediscovery.  This piece was originally published on RNZ. It can be listened to as an Insight documentary here. Seventy years ago, takahē – thought to … Read more