Mapara Reserve
That was the bush I grew up in
Aratora Valley as we called it - also known as Mapara South Road
I (at age 12) was the 1st person in NZ to POSSITIVLEY identify the Blue Whattled Crow - aka - Kokako
I gave a dead specimen to neighbour who had brother as Taxidermist and it ended up in AKL museum and then all the tree huggers arrived
Got dragged out of school and asked to guide them to spot etc etc
Non were seen again - but 5-6 years later when I back doing coons as a school leaver - I saw and heard most mornings - but never told them
Them later - someone found and turned it into a Reserve
Bloody circus !!
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