In 2023 the pūteketeke (Australasian crested grebe) was chosen as Forest and Bird’s ‘Bird of the Century’, but this striking lake bird wasn’t always so celebrated. In fact, in the 1980s, the pūteketeke population dropped to 200. In 2012 there was just one breeding pair in Wānaka. When John Darby, a zoologist, came to Wānaka after retiring from his role as Assistant Directorate Otago Museum he observed a pūteketeke struggling to build a nest. He set about observing the birds to learn more about their behaviour and determine what could be done to help conserve the species. In this interview John, now often referred to as‘ The Grebe Man’, tells the story of the Lake Wānaka Grebe Project, established in 2013. The results of his hard work are inspiring: by 2023 over 500 chicks had fledged from the floating nesting platforms the project built for them.
Interviewer: Helen Howarth
Interview Dates:
June & July 2023
The abstract will help you identify what is being said during the interview.
Grebe with Chick
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John Darby with Grebes at the Wanaka Marina
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