Kōkako Conservation Documentary: ‘The Song They Saved’ Public Premiere in Te Puke
If you are passionate about local ecology and Aotearoa's conservation history, the upcoming kōkako conservation documentary The Song They Saved: People Behind Kōkako Recovery is having its public premiere at the Capitol Theatre in Te Puke on Friday, 13 November 2026. Hosted by the Kōkako Ecosystem Expansion Programme (KEEP), this special evening screening shares the story of the pioneering researchers whose curiosity, determination, and collaboration ensured the haunting song of the North Island kōkako would never fall silent.
What to Expect at the Kōkako Conservation Documentary Screening
Through personal interviews and archival footage, The Song They Saved captures a remarkable chapter in New Zealand's environmental science history—told directly by the people who were on the ground doing the mahi. The event is hosted by KEEP, a collective bringing together iwi, landowners, conservation groups, and agencies to protect kōkako and reconnect their forest habitats across the Bay of Plenty.
Event Details
Event: The Song They Saved: People Behind Kōkako Recovery (Public Premiere)
Date & Time: Friday, 13 November 2026, 6:30 PM – 10:00 PM NZDT (documentary runtime is approximately 90 minutes)
Location: Capitol Theatre, Te Puke, Bay of Plenty
Host / Organiser: Kōkako Ecosystem Expansion Programme (KEEP)
Cost: $15 per ticket (limited seating available)
Why Attend
Real-World Science in Action: Hear directly from the field researchers and conservationists whose breakthroughs shaped modern kōkako recovery across the motu.
Local Bay of Plenty Connections: Learn how KEEP is working right here in our region to expand genetic diversity and link isolated kōkako populations through ecological corridors. (If you can't make the Te Puke premiere, future screenings are also planned for Tauranga, Ōpōtiki, Rotorua, and Katikati.)
How to Get Tickets
Seats at the Capitol Theatre are limited—grab your tickets via the official Humanitix event page: https://events.humanitix.com/the-song-they-saved
Comments