The Twizel area is the only place in the world where you are guaranteed to see the Black Stilt/Kaki.
Black Stilt / Kaki:
Kaki/black stilt (Himantopus novaezelandiae) are one of the world's rarest and most endangered birds. Once widespread and common in many parts of New Zealand , kaki are now restricted to the Mackenzie Basin , South Canterbury . It is believed that their decline was caused mainly by the introduction of mammalian predators (eg ferrets, feral cats) and habitat modification following European colonisation. Kaki have been intensively managed since 1981, and guided tours of the Kaki Visitor Hide (just south of Twizel) offer guests an insight into the conservation and protection of this critically endangered species.
