The population of takahe is growing, but the species is still in trouble, the Department of Conservation (Doc) says.
Takahe science adviser Andrew Digby said there were only 420 individuals left in the world.
And in a bid to highlight the species’ importance, Doc is celebrating takahe this month.
"Takahe have an image problem — they’re not pukeko. They’re big and are very rare. They’re the only bird in the world that’s been declared extinct twice."
Unlike many other threatened New Zealand bird species, takahe were relatively easy to see in the wild, he said.
Mr Digby usually encouraged people to go out and see takahe at sanctuaries nationwide, but believed people could still help save the precious species.
"Since we’ll all be confined to New Zealand for a while, what better time to learn more about our iconic birds, starting with the takahe.
"When we’re out of lockdown, it is possible to [see them] in the wilds of the Heaphy Track and reserves such as Tawharanui, Motutapu, Maungatautari, Orokonui and Zealandia."
