The Pukeko/Purple Swamphen

In Gladstone and Kaikoura

Pukeko Maori legend has it that the indigenous people

first brought the Pukeko to New Zealand. It is a native bird and has a partially protected

status. The Pukeko is one of the most recognised birds in

Kaikoura and all over New Zealand, and there are many children’s books based on this bird.

In Kaikoura there is a street named after the bird – Pukeko Place and also a souvenir shop called GO Pukeko which is filled with local jams, pickles, soaps, bath salts and gift ideas.

The pukekoThis is a children’s book that was given to my children as a gift from their Grandparents in Kaikoura. It tells the story of a pukeko egg that hatched amongst a farmers chicken eggs. It started being a pest to the farmer, so the farmer banned him from coming near the house to play. Perky wasn’t phased and ended up finding himself a nice home that was a grassy pest infested drain, filled with other pukekos.

Purple Swamphen The Purple Swamphen is not a recognised bird or a

protected specie in Gladstone and all of Australia. It can be found at various duck ponds and swamps in

and around Gladstone. One of the most common areas that this bird is sighted is at the Tondoon Botanic Gardens.

It feeds on most things around a swamp: small birds, insects and frogs.

The Purple SwamphenThis photo was taken at the duck ponds in the suburb Clinton, in Gladstone. Me and my children were feeding the ducks there and we also got the opportunity to see the Purple Swamphen as well.