Kōrero: Large forest birds

Pūkeko are closely related to takahē, but are less bulky, and can fly. Pūkeko colonised New Zealand around 1,000 years ago – whereas takahē have been evolving in the country for thousands of years. Takahē are endemic to New Zealand (found nowhere else), whereas pūkeko, also known as the purple gallinule or swamp hen, are widespread around the world. The same subspecies occurs in eastern Australia and Tasmania – presumably where the New Zealand birds originated.