Scientific name: Prosthemadera novaeseelandiae
Other names: kōkō,kōkōtaua, kōkōtea, kōkōuri, kōpūrehe, kouwha, kukari, mocking bird, parson bird, pikari, pitui, pòhe or poe bird, tākaha, takahē, tataki, teoteo, tui, tute

New Zealand Status: Native (endemic)
Conservation Status: Not threatened

Where they feed: Trees
What they eat: Invertebrates, seeds, pollen nectar and fruit

When someone says, “Me he korokoro tūī” (like the throat like a tūī), it means they are complimenting your beautiful singing voice.

The tūī is one of our most popular garden birds, but did you know that kōkō is its the traditional name? This name is still preferred by many native speakers. Here we explore the origin and significance of some of the different Māori and English names for this bird.....