The New Zealand native kakariki karaka, or orange-fronted parakeet, is critically endangered and has twice been declared extinct before rediscovery. About 450 individuals remain, mostly in sanctuaries, predator-free islands, and some wild areas [1, 2].
Since 2024, a super-breeding pair called Nacho and Trixie have been housed at the Isaac Conservation and Wildlife Trust in Christchurch. Together, they have produced 55 chicks total, including 33 chicks in 2026 alone. This represents more than 10% of the current total population of kakariki karaka [1, 2].
Nacho plays an active role in gathering food for Trixie and the chicks. Despite the 2026 breeding season having officially ended, Trixie has continued producing eggs and raising chicks, with seven chicks in her most recent clutch. "The breeding season has ended and yet she’s still producing eggs and raising chicks. Ideally we’d prefer her to stop so she can have a rest, but she shows no signs of that," said Leigh Percasky, a conservationist working at the trust [1]. He added that Nacho also deserves credit as he is busy finding food for the family.
The Department of Conservation’s kakariki karaka recovery program relies heavily on captive breeding to establish new populations. "We rely on the captive breeding programmes as without them we couldn’t establish new sites. The wild populations are very vulnerable to predators, so we always need backup populations," said Wayne Beggs from the Department of Conservation [1].
Leigh Percasky also noted the pair's major impact on their species’ survival. "Nacho and Trixie have made a massive contribution to the survival of their species, but he wants the love birds to have a well-earned break after their latest clutch. I'm not sure where they get all their energy from," Percasky added [1].
