Kākā (NZ Forest Parrot)

The kākā is a taonga of Aotearoa’s native forests — a lively, intelligent parrot whose cries once echoed widely through the canopy. Once common across the motu, kākā populations declined through loss of habitat and predation, but today they are carefully protected under the guardianship of the Department of Conservation (DOC).

To Māori, kākā holds deep significance — a messenger of the forest, symbolising vitality, communication, and balance within te taiao (the natural world). Its return to restored sanctuaries such as Zealandia, Kāpiti, and the offshore islands stands as a testament to kaitiakitanga — the ongoing responsibility to protect and nurture life.

Through this painting, the artist honours the kākā’s enduring spirit — celebrating its colour, energy, and the living bond between people, place, and the wild heart of the ngahere.