Meet the Locals: Conservation Week Special

The world's rarest parrot and immigrant desert "pests" feature in this Meet The Locals Conservation Week special. Presenter Nicola Toki (née Vallance) travels to Invercargill to visit rescued kākāpō chicks, before disinfecting her clothes so she can return the birds to their pest-free home on Codfish Island. Heading north, she takes to the skies to help herd Kaimanawa wild horses, which are wreaking havoc on rare plants, and joins kids on a trip to wildlife sanctuary Tiritiri Matangi. The Department of Conservation and TVNZ collaborated to make the series.

Because the island we're taking the chicks back to is completely pest-free, it's vital that visitors don't accidentally bring seeds or pests over in their luggage. Everything has to be washed with antiseptic and checked, and I mean everything.

– Presenter Nicola Vallance (née Toki) disinfects her bra before travelling to Codfish Island (Whenua Hou).

Key Cast & Crew

Nicola Toki (née Vallance)

Presenter, Writer

Deb Cope

Producer

Philippa Mossman

Network Executive