Meet the Kōkako 

Say hello to the kōkako, one of Aotearoa’s most distinctive forest birds. Recognisable by its soft blue-grey feathers, long tail, and vivid blue wattles beneath its beak, the kōkako is best known for its haunting, organ-like song that carries through native forests at dawn.

Kōkako are primarily found in mature native forests, where they move quietly through the canopy feeding on leaves, fruit, and insects. They are strong leapers rather than strong flyers, often bounding gracefully between branches. Once widespread, kōkako numbers declined due to habitat loss and introduced predators, but dedicated conservation work across New Zealand is helping populations recover.

Handcrafted in Arrowtown by our Cheeky Beaks ceramics team, each kōkako is individually shaped from white porcelain and carefully glazed to capture the bird’s upright posture and distinctive colouring. Subtle variations in the glaze give every piece its own character.

Suitable for both indoor and outdoor display, the kōkako brings a small reminder of New Zealand’s unique forest life into any space. As with all Cheeky Beaks pieces, each bird is handmade, meaning no two are exactly the same.

Dimensions (mm): 180 h × 160 l × 130 w
Weight: 400 g