Orange fronted kakarikiThe first orange fronted parakeet (kakariki) to fledge in the wild, north of the Cook Strait in about 130 years, was sighted on Mayor Island.

The parakeet is listed as critically threatened and has been extinct in the North Island since the late 1800s.

In late 2009, Tuhua Trust welcomed the opportunity to help their return to the North Island with the support and gifting by Ngai Tahu hapu, Ngai Tuahuriri.

Success for the project was confirmed when Department of Conservation ranger John Heaphy sighted and recorded images of a juvenile bird on the island.

Mr Heaphy said the youngster hadn't been long out of a nest and he watched it for several minutes before it flew about five metres and crash landed with wings outspread on the next branch.

He said it was likely other juvenile parakeets had also fledged this summer.

So far, 63 birds have been released with the support of the Isaac Wildlife Trust and BDG Synthesis since late 2009.

Tuhua Trust Board chair Magda Williams said it was exciting news and and that it was hoped to eventually re-establish the species back to the mainland.

Ms Williams said Mayor Island's predator free status was a perfect habitat for the orange fronted parakeet, which like the other endangered species on the island, was thriving.

The board is playing a major role nationally by contributing to the restoration of several threatened native bird species, she said.

It was also home to a small but thriving population of North Island kiwi, as well as the native brown teal, tuatara and North Island robin.