Bushy Park Tarapuruhi

08/09/2026

What if we told you tīeke helped guide people to Aotearoa?

In Māori tradition, a pair of tīeke travelled aboard the legendary Mataatua waka during its voyage from Hawaiki.

These birds were said to possess wisdom and knowledge beyond that of ordinary birds, helping guide travellers on their journey.

The story reminds us that tīeke are more than a conservation success story.

They're woven into the stories, traditions, and cultural history of Aotearoa.

One more reason they deserve your Bird of the Year vote.

🖤

05/09/2026

Did you know tīeke were once known as the guardians of the forest?

Long ago, these lively little birds were often seen following flocks of whiteheads through the bush. As the whiteheads disturbed insects while searching for food, tīeke would swoop in to grab the larger morsels left behind.

Sometimes just a pair of tīeke would follow a flock. Other times there were several of them, sticking close to their smaller feathered companions like protective older siblings.

Perhaps it's no surprise that Māori came to regard tīeke as guardians and watchers of the forest.

At Bushy Park Tarapuruhi, you might spot tīeke hopping through the undergrowth today, continuing a relationship with the forest that stretches back generations.

🖤 Vote for the guardian of the forest. 🖤 Vote for Tīeke.

01/09/2026

The comeback isn't over yet >>> Vote Tīeke for Bird of the Year 2026!

Once, tīeke were almost gone from mainland Aotearoa 🤯

Introduced predators like rats, stoats and cats had a devastating impact on their populations, and by the early 20th century, tīeke had disappeared from most of the mainland 💔

For a long time, their survival depended on predator-free offshore islands 🏝️

But that wasn't the end of their story…

Through predator control, habitat restoration, and years of conservation mahi, tīeke have been successfully reintroduced to mainland sites like Bushy Park Tarapuruhi - and their populations are growing 😍

Every tīeke returning to the mainland is a reminder of what we can achieve when we work together to protect our taiao 👏🏼

The comeback isn’t over yet - let’s take tīeke all the way to top!

Vote tīeke for Bird of the Year 2026!! 🏆

Forest & Bird

01/09/2026

We can do it! Vote Tieke Saddleback for Bird of the year 2026 and hand this little fighter the crown it deserves.

31/08/2026

Awful surroundings. Hideous workplace. Noisy colleagues.

And by colleagues, we mean tūī, kererū, tīeke, and about 40 other species that are still struggling with workplace etiquette.

We're desperately trying to warn people before they volunteer here, because there are a few things to watch out for:

⚠️ Excessive birdsong
⚠️ Unreasonably beautiful forest
⚠️ Ridiculously friendly people
⚠️ Fresh air (almost too fresh!)
⚠️ A sudden sense of purpose

Yet somehow, people keep coming back. 🤷

We do have enough work for a few more helping hands, especially on Thursdays. The tasks are varied, the company is great, and the forest speaks for itself.

If you've been thinking about giving volunteering a go, consider this your sign.

But be warned: side effects may include improved wellbeing, new friendships, and developing strong opinions about native plants. 🌿😄

When & where: Tuesdays & Thursdays, meet 9am at the Volunteer Shed. No experience required, we'll teach you everything you need to know.

29/08/2026

Vote for a bird who can do it all.



📸top left taken by Laurie Ross
📸 bottom left taken by Peter Reese

25/08/2026

See all those plants? 🌱

Our volunteers planted them.

Not just the one in the front.

The one in the back too.

The leafy one.

The bushy one.

The slightly wonky-looking one.

Actually... all of them.

Every tree, shrub and bush in this photo represents hours of digging, planting, weeding, grubbing, laughing, chatting, and caring for this special place.

The thriving native habitat visitors enjoy at Tarapuruhi Bushy Park doesn't happen by magic. It's made possible by a dedicated team of volunteers who roll up their sleeves and help create a better future for our wildlife.

And the best part?

You don't need to be an expert gardener, conservationist, botanist, or professional hole-digger to get involved.

You just need to be keen.

Whether you can spare a few hours occasionally or become a regular volunteer, we'd love to have you on the team.

🌿 Meet great people
🌿 Learn new skills
🌿 Make a real difference for native biodiversity
🌿 Help create habitat for birds, insects and other wildlife
🌿 Enjoy the satisfaction of pointing at a tree and saying, "I helped grow that."

Keen to join us? Get in touch and find out how you can volunteer at Tarapuruhi Bushy Park.

💚

24/08/2026

Do you love nature? Enjoy native wildlife? And happen to have a few hours to spare on a Tuesday or Thursday morning?

How about joining our friendly team of volunteers at Tarapuruhi Bushy Park? 🌿

Here are a few good reasons why that’s a great idea:

1) It’s amazing for your wellbeing.
There’s plenty of research showing that spending time surrounded by nature is good for both your mental and physical health. Fresh air, movement, birdsong and a morning in the bush – not a bad way to spend a few hours!

2) You’d be supporting a Whanganui icon.
Tarapuruhi Bushy Park has been around for a long time. So long, in fact, that it protects one of the very few remaining areas of virgin lowland forest in New Zealand. It’s an incredibly special place – and one worth protecting.

3) You’ll be making a real difference for conservation.
Protecting our environment, native wildlife and their habitats is more important than ever – and there’s always something practical you can do to help.

4) You’ll meet some pretty great people.
Our volunteers are a wonderfully friendly group, and many a friendship has been formed while patching fences, planting shrubs or clearing tracking lines. It’s a great way to meet like-minded people while doing something worthwhile.

5) We’re flexible!
You don’t have to commit to coming every Tuesday or every Thursday. Come every week, once a month, or just whenever you feel like you need a dose of nature – we’ll find a task for you.

We provide training and equipment, as well as excellent banter during lunchtime.

What to bring: Sturdy footwear or gumboots, a bottle of water and weather-appropriate clothing.

When: Tuesdays and/or Thursdays from 9am
Where: Meet at the volunteer shed opposite the Visitor Centre.

No need to make a big commitment. Just come along and give it a go. 🌿

22/08/2026

5 Weird Things About Tīeke (That Make Them Bird of the Year Material)

Every Bird of the Year candidate has something special.

Some are beautiful. Some are rare. Some have celebrity status.

And then there's tīeke.

New Zealand's favourite gothic forest goblin is packed full of strange habits, surprising talents, and at least one communication problem.

1. They're not much of a flyer... but they're excellent hoppers

Tīeke can fly, technically.

But if there were a Bird Olympics, they probably wouldn't be signing up for the aerial events.

Instead, tīeke spend much of their time hopping, bounding and clambering through the forest like they're running an obstacle course designed by squirrels. They're constantly bouncing along branches, tree trunks and the forest floor searching for insects and other tasty snacks.

If you've wandered the tracks at Tarapuruhi Bushy Park and spotted a black bird energetically ricocheting through the forest, chances are you've met a tīeke.

Why fly elegantly when you can launch yourself enthusiastically?

2. They might not understand each other's accents

Believe it or not, tīeke from different parts of the country can develop different song dialects.

In fact, birds that have been isolated from one another for generations may sound so different that a newly arrived tīeke could have a bit of a "sorry, could you repeat that?" moment when meeting birds from another population.

Imagine travelling across the country only to discover everyone speaks the same language but with a wildly different accent.

Awkward.

3. They wear a saddle everywhere and somehow make it look stylish

The clue is in the name.

Tīeke are famous for the rich chestnut-coloured patch on their backs, which looks remarkably like a saddle draped across their glossy black feathers.

Most birds need bright colours, flashy tails or elaborate dance routines to stand out.

Tīeke simply turn up in black and chestnut and let the fashion do the talking.

4. They're absolutely nosy

Many native birds keep a respectful distance from people.

Tīeke often seem to view visitors as a source of entertainment.

They're naturally curious and may hop surprisingly close to investigate what you're doing.

Are they saying hello?

Are they hoping you'll uncover an insect?

Are they silently judging your choice of tramping footwear?

The answer is probably yes.

Visitors to Tarapuruhi Bushy Park are often delighted by how confident and inquisitive tīeke can be. They have absolutely no concept of personal space.

5. They were saved from extinction by sheer determination (and a lot of human help)

Tīeke once disappeared from mainland forests across much of the North Island and came frighteningly close to being lost forever.

The reason you can still see them today is thanks to decades of conservation work, predator control, island refuges and carefully planned translocations.

In other words, tīeke are one of Aotearoa's greatest conservation comeback stories.

They didn't just survive.

They came back.

The Verdict

Let's review.

✅ Expert hopper

✅ Speaks with regional accents

✅ Impeccable fashion sense

✅ Professionally curious

✅ Conservation comeback champion

Honestly, this bird sounds less like a forest species and more like that eccentric neighbour everyone secretly loves.

If you've ever enjoyed seeing tīeke at Tarapuruhi Bushy Park, now's your chance to show your support.

Vote Tīeke for Bird of the Year 2026. Because weird deserves recognition.



📸 Photo taken by Philip Griffin

19/08/2026

🌿 This could be you! 🐦

Did you know that spending time in nature is good for your wellbeing? That's a scientific fact! Add in some fresh air, great company, and the chance to make a real difference for wildlife, and you've got a pretty great way to spend a morning.

Our volunteers help care for Tarapuruhi Bushy Park's sanctuary, supporting native birds and protecting this special place for future generations. Plus, it's a fantastic way to meet new people and give back to the planet.

Join us for our Open Volunteer Days every Tuesday and Thursday from 9am.

No experience needed. Just rock up, dive in, make some new friends, and hang out with the birds. We'd love to see you there! 💚