Despite the weather over Wellington anniversary weekend, hundreds of people still turned out for Kaka Kids Day to learn more about this endangered bird and to try and spot the kaka in the valley.

Sanctuary Sales and Marketing Manager, Jacaleen Williams said, "It was great to see many first time visitors to the Sanctuary. It was an excellent family day with the opportunity to learn something new about the kaka, and many people also saw a kaka in the wild for the first time too."

On the day, there were lots of fun and activities for kids of all ages including informative talks about the kaka, a kaka food quiz, a fact-finding quiz, face painting, story telling and a colouring competition. Being a slightly cooler day also had its benefits in that many of the kaka were regularly spotted in the valley and also seen flying overhead. On hotter days many of the birds like to take shelter in the shade and are therefore not as easily seen.

Harriet Neale (11) and Emma Robertson (10) from Upper Hutt help the Sanctuary volunteer co-ordinator, Alison de Sanchez, put kaka food in the feeding station

2003 Chick Boom

We're well into spring now and breeding at the Sanctuary is in full swing.Kaka, brown teal and saddlebacks are nesting earlier than last yearand inexperienced birds still have plenty of time to breed. For a summary of how they are doing please click here.

The Adventures of Alfie

A children's story written by Sanctuary member and volunteer Marjorie Gee about one of the male kaka released at the Sanctuary. Alfie flies over Wellington City and hungry, steals food from a garden table. His image and his 'crime' appear on the front page of the Wellington morning paper. Returned to the Sanctuary he makes off again. A delightful insight into the behaviour of kaka, beautifully illustrated by David Owen. 32 pages in full colour. Available from the Sanctuary Visitor Centre or the Sanctuary Shop for just $16.95.

Karori Wildlife Sanctuary Annual Report
2002 - 2003

It was an exceptionally challenging and rewarding year for the Trust as expected with an evolving and developing organisation.

To achieve our vision, our major priorities for the past 12 months were to, steadily improve the valley's ecology, enhance the visitor experience and to strive toward financial stability and robustness.

Click here to read more.

Kaka Day - Sunday, 18 January 2004

The Sanctuary are holding another Kaka Day on the Sunday of Wellington Anniversary Weekend. Between 12 noon and 3pm there will be heaps of fun games and activities with prizes to be won plus the opportunity to learn more about kaka - a cheeky forest-dwelling parrot.

While you're at the Sanctuary watch out for the kaka flying freely through the trees as you venture through the valley discovering more native birds, plants and other wildlife. There are two kaka feeding stations in the valley - one located by Tui Terrace and the other below the top dam. These are also good spots to watch out for the birds.

Karori Wildlife Sanctuary is located at the end of Waiapu Road, first left after the Karori Tunnel. It is open daily from 10am to 8pm. Entry fees $7 adult, $3 child (school age), $17 family (2 adults / 3 children), no charge for Sanctuary members or pre-schoolers. So, pack a picnic, round up your family and come along to Kaka Day on Sunday, 18 January!

Kaka at a feeding station

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