takahē
Once thought to be extinct, then rediscovered in 1948. The South Island takahē is the largest living rail in the world.
Photo: Rickie-Lee Scanlon
takahē
Porphyrio hochstetteri
New Zealand Status: Endemic
Conservation Status: Nationally vulnerable
Lifespan: Unknown
Size: 50cm
Weight: 2-3.5kg (around 3 times heavier than a pūkeko)
-Predation by introduced predators such as stoats or by kāhu/Australasian harriers or pūkeko.
-Competition for resources with deer.
Is it a takahē?
Look for: Huge red feet, a bright red bill and beautiful iridescent blue and green feathers.
Listen for: Takahē keep in touch with each other with a quiet hoot. You may also hear a gentle booming sound which acts as an alarm.
Did you know?
There are now over 500 takahē. As of the end of 2024, Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari has contributed a total of 27 chicks to this growing national population.
Takahē would only have been found in the South Island before humans arrived in Aotearoa. The North Island equivalent was the moho which is now extinct.
Takahē @ Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari
We are privileged to have two breeding pairs of takahē and their chicks living behind the safety of the Xcluder® pest-proof fence. A dedicated team of volunteers and staff keep a close eye on both families of takahē several times per week and offer them supplementary feeding to ensure they are in good condition throughout the year.
One family of takahē live in the Tautari Wetland. This area is only accessible by guided tour. You can come and visit them by joining us on a Wetland Guided Tour. Join our knowledgeable and keen guides who will take you on an adventure to observe these stunning birds.
Meet our Tautari Wetland Takahē family
Visit the Tautari Wetland by Guided Tour.
WHAT OUR VISITORS SAY
We were a group of 8, Sue was our guide. Would so recommend having Sue to guide. We would not have noticed or learnt anything by ourselves, noticed birds and plants with understanding the importance of sanctuary. Will be bringing the grandies next.
- Helen Bingham
The team are still absolutely buzzing about their time at Maungatautari! We all learnt SO much - about Rongoa, about the forest and how different plants can heal our ailments - but also how the forest as a whole can heal our inner-selves too. Everybody took something of great value...
- Huka Honey Hive, Taupo
I wanted to email you and tell you how literally amazing our day was and that we were absolutely blown away by the whole experience. You and your team are fantastic [Phil and the educators]. All of the parents who attended raved about the whole day.
- Ohaupo School
A truly spectacular day for me thank you, and trust me I've done some really cool things before but this was right up there. The passion, the pride, the service beyond self and the truly intergenerational and transformational work you and the team have done and are doing is inspirational...
- Simon