This two-week-old chick is one of the first kokako to hatch in Taranaki in over 30 years, after birds were released in Parininihi from predator-free Tiritiri Matangi earlier this year. As a bonus it's one of a clutch of three, which is the largest possible for kokako, and it's even more unusual for all three to hatch successfully.

Unfortunately their mum Mere is a terrible builder of nests and Dave had to wire her lopsided attempt to its tree, to avoid it falling out under the weight of a rapidly growing family.

On a high, we completed the monotonous 24km Pouakai circuit a day early, drove to Dawson Falls and wandered the hour in to Waingongoro Hut for the night. It's an excellent trail through a dense and eerie kamahi/fern forest over clear streams, with a view of the maunga from the hut deck. Sometimes the best ones are the short ones.

A beautiful day on the Pouakai circuit. Bulbinella spp (?), ubiquitous across the tops

On to Waingongoro Hut, past the highest swingbridge in the Park

Syme Hut

Parininihi / Maunga Taranaki

Parininihi

taranaki