Exploring the Mackenzie Basin, Aoraki Mt Cook | Kakī/Black stilt Encounter

Some holiday snaps from a chilly but pleasant side trip into the Mt Cook region, June 2025.

The highlight of this excursion was undoubtedly an encounter with some kakī/black stilts in their braided river habitat as the sun went down behind the ranges and temperatures plummeted.

A couple of cameras in action with the close-ups captured by Jenny on her Sony RX10 IV and the wider shots taken on my Panasonic GH5.

Pretty sketchy lighting conditions as we ended up shooting in the shadows so the birds were pretty much silhouettes, but some interesting footage of the birds feeding, including “scything” for worms & invertebrates in the mud.

Good to see these birds at this time of year, well clear of the breeding season and exciting to see the great work being done by DOC and partner organisations to bolster and protect the kakī population – links below.

  Stay up to date with our latest video projects:   Subscribe to our YouTube channel

Read about the Kakī Recovery Programme:

• https://www.doc.govt.nz/braided-river-carecode
• https://www.facebook.com/kakirecovery
• https://www.facebook.com/vote4kaki
• https://www.doc.govt.nz/news/media-releases/2025-media-releases/kaki-release-crucial-to-species-survival
• https://www.doc.govt.nz/nature/native-animals/birds/birds-a-z/black-stilt-kaki/
• https://www.doc.govt.nz/our-work/freshwater-restoration/project-river-recovery/
• https://isaacconservation.org.nz/
• https://www.stuff.co.nz/nz-news/350365735/kakiblack-stilt-released-mackenzie-more-come
• https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/565952/government-gives-wildlife-restoration-22-million-funding-boost-over-three-years