Takahē pair thought to be infertile hatch chick at Zealandia

Monday 22 December 2025 · 5 outlets · 3 reports · updated Mon 22 Dec 2025, 7:30pm

A pair of takahē, Bendigo and Waitaa, have unexpectedly hatched a chick at Wellington's Zealandia sanctuary. The birds arrived at the sanctuary two years ago as a non-breeding pair, and staff previously believed the male may have had fertility issues.

How they headlined it

6h5h

9am2:52pm7:30pm

1. The PostMon 22 Dec 2025, 9:00am

   Supposedly infertile takahē pair become surprise parents (opens in new tab)

2. Otago Daily TimesMon 22 Dec 2025, 2:52pm

   Chick for takahē pair thought to be infertile (opens in new tab)

3. 1News via RNZMon 22 Dec 2025, 7:30pm

   Takahē pair thought to be infertile hatch chick at Zealandia (opens in new tab)

   Also on RNZ (opens in new tab), NZ Herald (opens in new tab)