Kākāpō Files II

4.9 (33)
Natural Sciences
Semiweekly Series

The Kākāpō Files podcast is back with what’s set to be the biggest breeding season of all time for the world’s favourite parrot. Monthly episodes from late May 2026.

Trailer

Introducing: Kākāpō Files II

In 2019 Alison Ballance followed the bumpy, rollercoaster ride that was the kākāpō breeding season. Now she returns, six years on, to do it all over again. We'll meet familiar characters, of both the human and bird kind, as well as new faces. Will the chicks born in 2019 start to breed? How will the team fare with a more hands-off approach? Will the deadly aspergillosis that surfaced in 2019 return? And with the rimu mast predicted to be big, could this be the most successful breeding season yet? First episode drops 16th December. Don't miss it. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

4.9

out of 5

33 Ratings

Happy Booming

07/10/2024

mattpelletier

These large green parrots (moss potato’s) make my life significantly better. The podcast is always a joy to listen to. I never knew I could be so invested in such a silly creature :)
INCREDIBLE

05/02/2022

emuzz1223

I love this podcast so much!! It’s so cool to learn more about endangered species conservation so in depth especially with such a cool species!! I love this!!
Please don’t let this podcast end with COVID

10/04/2021

just a guy 01

I enjoy every part of what you do . It makes me so happy to know there are people out there making a difference. When I became aware that there was something called a kakapo there were Around 90 or so out there. From listening to the podcast I know the last breeding season was very prolific and Thea won’t be the norm. There are lot of me out there and this cast encourages us to donate . While it will probably not be in my lifetime it would be great if they could make it back to their original habitat. You people are doing important work you should be proud. In fact your mothers should be proud
Fascinating look at an amazing bird

05/01/2019

Carmenalaus

I got sucked into this wonderful podcast after it was recommended to me recently. It is a great blend of science, history, and storytelling and had me rooting for individual parrots as they struggled to breed, nest, and raise their chicks. I actually started from the beginning and binge-listened the whole series. Great job Alison, RNZ, and all of the rangers and scientists involved in the project!

The Kākāpō Files podcast is back with what’s set to be the biggest breeding season of all time for the world’s favourite parrot. Monthly episodes from late May 2026.