The Pukeko is a native bird in New Zealand. It is also known by the name Purple Swamphen which can be found here in Gladstone.

1. The
Pukeko/Purple
Swamphen
In Gladstone and Kaikoura

2. Pukeko
 Maori
legend has it that the indigenous people first
brought the Pukeko to New Zealand.
 It is a native bird and has a partially protected
status.
 The Pukeko is one of the most recognised birds in
Kaikoura and all over New Zealand, and there are
many children’s books based on this bird.
 In Kaikoura there is a street named after the bird –
Pukeko Place and also a souvenir shop called GO
Pukeko which is filled with local jams, pickles, soaps,
bath salts and gift ideas.

3. The pukeko
This is a children’s book that
was given to my children as
a gift from their
Grandparents in Kaikoura. It
tells the story of a pukeko
egg that hatched amongst
a farmers chicken eggs. It
started being a pest to the
farmer, so the farmer
banned him from coming
near the house to play.
Perky wasn’t phased and
ended up finding himself a
nice home that was a
grassy pest infested drain,
filled with other pukekos.

4. Purple Swamphen
The Purple Swamphen is not a recognised bird or a
protected specie in Gladstone and all of Australia.
 It can be found at various duck ponds and swamps in
and around Gladstone. One of the most common
areas that this bird is sighted is at the Tondoon
Botanic Gardens.
 It feeds on most things around a swamp: small birds,
insects and frogs.


5. The Purple
Swamphen
This photo was taken at the duck
ponds in the suburb Clinton, in
Gladstone. Me and my children
were feeding the ducks there
and we also got the opportunity
to see the Purple Swamphen as
well.