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Conservationists are celebrating a major milestone in their
fight to save the kakapo.
Ten years ago there were only 50 of the rare native parrots left,
but now bird watchers around the world are queuing up for a new
experience on Stewart Island.
A joint venture between the Department of Conservation and the Ulva Island Trust allows the public a rare chance to view them.
"It's taken three years of work and negotiation. The paperwork has been incredible - this had to be approved obviously at the highest level," says Dil Belworthy of the trust.
Located in Stewart Island's Paterson Inlet, native birds are plentiful on Ulva Island, especially since rats were eradicated in the 1990s.
"They've been able to bring back in endangered species that would never survive with the presence of rats," says Kari Baven of the trust.
Bookings to see the kakapo are coming in from around the world.
For $80 people can take an evening boat trip out to the island to view the birds.
"I think for what are known as twitchers - the serious hard core bird watchers, this is the holy grail. This is the hardest bird there ever has been to see up until now," Belworthy says.
There will be just one viewing session per day.
