Choice News Tuesday: Kākāpō will be getting busy in 2026!
The kākāpō, our famously lovable but critically endangered land-parrot, are forecast to have a massive breeding season in 2026 - perhaps the biggest on record!
How do we know? Kākāpō only 'get busy' during rimu mast events (where rimu grow heaps of fruit), every 2-4 years. Because we can anticipate rimu mast events, and kākāpō love rimu fruit, we can predict kākāpō breeding activity.
Since there are only 242 kākāpō today, this bumper season is important.
This positive outlook on population numbers is especially exciting since, due to the mahi of conservationists, the kākāpō have completed their first season on the North island (at Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari). The booming of the kākāpō has not been heard on the North Island of Aotearoa for over a century!
Read more about Aotearoa's flightless parrot and their nesting plans.
We hope this news brings a smile!
Share your favourite main crop potato recipe and win a copy of our mag!
Love potatoes? We will give away free copies of the May 2026 issue to readers whose potato recipes are used in our magazine. To be in the running, make sure you email your family's favourite way to enjoy potatoes: mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz, by March 1, 2026.
Waipu Lifecare & Village
The sun through the skylight, a tui singing in the garden and a fresh batch of scones on the kitchen bench... that’s what ‘A Better Everyday’ feels like at Waiapu Village. Just minutes from Havelock North Village, Waiapu is a smaller village where you’re never just a number.
To discover how good life can be at Waiapu Village, visit our Open Home or call Jude on 027 215 8156 for a tour. We can’t wait to show you around!
Poll: Are you a Te Huia fan?
All three Hamilton MPs appear to be united behind the retention of the Te Huia passenger rail service between Hamilton and Auckland, as well as potentially expanding it to Tauranga.
But whether Hamilton East’s Ryan Hamilton, Hamilton West’s Tama Potaka and soon-to-be Labour list MP Georgie Dansey have the combined power to shunt transport minister Chris Bishop and Prime Minister Christopher Luxon onto their line of thinking remains to be seen.
Are you a Te Huia fan? Tell us more in the comments (adding NFP if you don't want your words used in print).
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80.9% Yes
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19.1% No
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