Fate of the kōkākō

As a past member of the East Coast Conservation Board, I would like to add my support to Peter Fergusson’s letter (Nov 17) over the management of Te Urewera, especially in relation to that most rare of birds, the kōkākō, one of only two survivors of an ancient family of birds found only in New Zealand.

Only the moa and the kiwi are likely to be more ancient.

Having some knowledge of the history of Te Urewera, I appreciate the desire of Tūhoe to manage their land according to their customs, but the fate of the kōkākō surely transcends this need.

Narena Olliver, Greytown