Birds of a feather flock together. And so it proved at Orokonui Ecosanctuary yesterday, as two takahe waddled off into a brave new world.
Resident takahe Quammen and his new female friend from Kapiti Island, Paku, spent the past three weeks in a pen getting on beaking terms and were released into the 307ha sanctuary at 11am yesterday.
"We hope they'll be one of the stars of the show at Orokonui, along with the kaka," conservation manager Elton Smith said.
"There's been no sign of aggression. They're sharing food, which is an incredibly good sign."
Quammen and another male bird - his nemesis, Te Hoiere - were introduced to the ecosanctuary from Maud Island in the Marlborough Sounds last May, but never saw eye to eye.
Te Hoiere died of septicemia in November. Food pellets will be supplied at a pond at 11am daily to enhance viewing opportunities of the birds.