The Kākāpō Socks Supporting Kākāpō Recovery

In collaboration with Meridian Energy, the Kākāpō Recovery Fund and the Department of Conservation, Conservation Socks has created an online-exclusive kākāpō sock to raise awareness and funds for one of Aotearoa’s most remarkable native birds.

With $10 from every pair sold supporting kākāpō recovery, each pair helps tell the story of this extraordinary species while contributing to the conservation work helping secure a future for kākāpō.

The Work Behind Kākāpō Recovery

The kākāpō is an endangered taonga species and one of Aotearoa’s most remarkable conservation stories.

Once widespread across mainland New Zealand, kākāpō numbers declined dramatically following the introduction of predators and land clearance. By the time the Kākāpō Recovery Programme was established in 1996, there were only 51 known birds remaining.

Since then, dedicated conservation work has helped bring kākāpō back from the brink of extinction. Today, kākāpō live on carefully managed predator-free islands, including Whenua Hou (Codfish Island) and Pukenui (Anchor Island), where the species is closely monitored and supported.

In 2023, ten kākāpō were released at Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari. Marking an important step towards the long-term goal of returning kākāpō to more places across Aotearoa.

With the population sitting at 236 as at February 2026, and the 2026 breeding season on track to be one of the most successful yet, there is real hope for the future of this extraordinary manu.

Every pair of kākāpō socks helps support the ongoing conservation work protecting kākāpō for future generations.

Ten Years Of Supporting Kākāpō Recovery

This campaign celebrates 10 years of Meridian Energy’s partnership with the Kākāpō Recovery Programme.

Since 2016, Meridian has worked alongside the Department of Conservation and Ngāi Tahu to support the recovery of kākāpō.

Meridian’s support has included practical, on-the-ground mahi alongside kākāpō rangers, as well as infrastructure development and engineering expertise on the kākāpō breeding islands. This includes helping ensure fit-for-purpose power systems are in place to support essential equipment such as incubators, brooders and feed-out gear during breeding seasons.

Over the past decade, Meridian’s support, alongside the dedicated mahi of DOC, Ngāi Tahu, rangers, scientists and volunteers, has helped the kākāpō population grow from 124 birds in 2016 to more than 235 in February 2026.

The 2026 breeding season marked the most successful in the programme’s history, with XX chicks successfully surviving and the total kākāpō population reaching XXX. As Meridian celebrates 10 years of support for kākāpō recovery, it is a powerful reminder of what sustained conservation mahi can help achieve.

These socks have been created to help share this story, celebrate Meridian’s 10-year commitment to kākāpō recovery, and give more people a practical way to support the future of one of Aotearoa’s most extraordinary native birds.

Shop The Kākāpō Collection