Rakiura the kākāpō lays her first egg - 22 January

On 22 January around 4.30pm, Rakiura the kākāpō was captured on camera laying her first egg of the season, as part of the Kākāpō Cam 2026. As one of our Kākāpō Recovery supporters, please enjoy this exclusive first-look at that special moment. Rakiura mated with Kōmaru on 15 January, and was artificially inseminated using sperm from Bluster Murphy, Moss and Gaupo on 21 January. Kākāpō have been known to lay five eggs but Rakiura has more commonly had 2-4 egg clutches, with each egg around three days apart. With Rakiura now committed to this nest, Kākāpō Cam is live so you can follow her progress. Learn more and donate to Kākāpō Recovery: www.doc.govt.nz/kakapocam