On a few visits to Pauatahanui Wildlife Reserve in 2024, I had bumped into other birders who had mentioned Mātātā (Fernbird, Bowdleria punctata). On a December visit, another photographer mentioned they were fairly common since re-introduced in the area.

Shortly after the aforementioned conversation I was walking along the side of the reserve when I spotted movement. What should I see but a clear view of a Mātātā!

I looked up the history and found they were introduced in 2017 and are doing very well.