Kōkako Contingent To Converge On RotoruaAlan Saunders was a 9-year-old boy with the Hamilton Junior Naturalists Club when he first heard the haunting call of the kōkako. Alan is now 73, and will join dozens of conservationists – including other pioneers he worked alongside in protecting kōkako – for the biennial Kōkako Recovery Group Hui in Rotorua this week. Alan had several different roles with DOC, in various places, but he retained his connection to kōkako protection throughout. He credits community groups as the “beating heart” of kōkako protection around the country, and says he’s looking forward to reconnecting with other pioneers of kōkako protection and emphasises “it wasn’t just me”. DOC’s Kōkako Recovery Group Lead Rhys Burns says as well as an opportunity for people to catch up, this year’s hui will also cover a range of topics connected to kōkako protection.