Our ambassador korimako (bellbird) arrived in August 2023 at 10 months old. Hatched at Auckland Zoo as part of the captive breeding programme, he plays an important role in educating visitors about New Zealand’s native songbirds and their conservation. He is often seen zipping around the aviary, feeding on fruit and nectar.

Korimako are vital pollinators, helping to sustain native forests by feeding on nectar, fruit, and insects. While males and females share similar olive-green colouring, males have a distinctive darker head and throat. Their clear, melodious song is often mistaken for that of a tūī.

Unlike some of our resident birds, korimako are rarely seen - though they are often heard! Hari gives visitors a rare opportunity to learn about this secretive species up close.