Being an escort has its perks.
By day, Andrew Digby is a scientist at the Department of Conservation's kakapo programme.
But yesterday, Dr Digby was charged with escorting Sirocco - the spokesbird for New Zealand conservation with a rock-star status - from the Orokonui Ecosanctuary to Wellington.
The trip was filmed by a BBC documentary team, making Dr Digby an instant co-star on television screens around the world.
''Sirocco normally gets quite a bit of attention. It's all part and parcel of travelling with him,'' Dr Digby said.
''It's almost like walking around with Brad Pitt on your arm.''
It is no surprise the BBC has a keen interest in Sirocco.
The feathered superstar was plucked from obscurity in 2009 after attempting to mate with the head of a zoologist presenting a BBC production on Codfish Island.
BBC field producer Holly Wallace said the British broadcasting giant was filming Sirocco yesterday as part of a three-part wildlife documentary.
The 17-year-old kakapo has been on show at the Orokonui Ecosanctuary since September l8 to promote the work of the kakapo recovery programme.
Ecosanctuary general manager Chris Baillie said Sirocco had been a hit with the public, attracting nearly 2000 people during the past two weeks.
''One Japanese tourist came from Japan especially to see him. He visited the ecosanctuary for three consecutive nights. He was a big fan.''
The parrot raised nearly $20,000 for the kakapo recovery programme and the ecosanctuary during his visit, she said.
Yesterday, Sirocco was flown to Parliament for ambassadorial duty, where he attended a function with Doc and major sponsor New Zealand Aluminium Smelters to begin celebrations marking the kakapo recovery programme's 25th birthday next year.
While at Parliament, Sirocco made an impact on new Conservation Minister Maggie Barry on her first official act as minister: she was pecked in the face and almost immediately lost an earring to the over-eager kakapo.
Sirocco, after his final public performance for the year, will head to Maud Island in the Marlborough Sounds for his annual summer holiday, Dr Digby said.
Sirocco will spend time at Zealandia Wildlife sanctuary in Wellington next year, and is due to return to Orokonui in September 2016.
