Bruce Tuanui next to the temporary aviary in the Awatotara Valley, and John Day with pet carry boxes holding tui on Rangatira Island (images: A. Ballance)
Last week we joined the Taiko Trust's Tui Team on Rangatira Island, as they attempted to catch 40 young tui to transfer to the main Chatham Island. In part two, we rejoin the team as they gather up the birds from the aviary on Rangatira, and release them into another holding aviary in the Awatotara Valley, a forest covenant on Liz and Bruce Tuanui's farm. On the day of the historic release nearly a sixth of the Chatham Island population - including the entire roll of the Te One School - turn up to help, and to cheer the birds on.
Te One School pupils waiting for the tui to be released, and the temporary aviary with the netting removed (images: A. Ballance)
You can also listen to part 1 of this series, collecting the tui from Rangatira / South East Island.
