This is a pukeko, a rather dumb chicken size bird that hangs out in the pastures and along the roadsides. We have decided to find them charming. I call them dumb because they often wander into the road when cars are coming. Matt and I slow down or stop to let them pass. That does not appear to be the New Zealand way. Drivers get annoyed when we slow down or stop. In fact, drivers do not stop at all if a pukeko is in the road. People just seem to run them over without a care. That means there are a lot of dead pukeko along and on the roads. So I wrote to the local council to ask about this. A few things to remember—farmers consider these birds pests and they are hunted to keep their populations in check. (I am not sure if they are edible). Even so, deliberately running over any animal, pest or not, strikes me as heartless and I wanted to express my concern and, frankly, disgust.
Here is the entire email exchange:
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December 15, 2023
As a transplant here to the Kapiti Coast, and an American, let me say I am appalled at the number of pukeko that have been run over by cars on the local roads. I live in Te Horo Beach and there are numerous dead birds on Te Horo Beach Road, Pukehamo Road, and the surrounding roads including Old SH 1. In the spring there were numerous pukeko in the fields, and now there are few.
Is this some kind of tradition, to run over birds on purpose? Because it sure does look like this is entirely purposeful. Can someone please explain this to me? I thought these birds were protected. Is there anything the Council can do?
Marsha Schmidt
Te Horo Beach
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December 18, 2023
Kia ora Marsha
In response to your enquiry of the Pukeko.
- It is not a New Zealand tradition to run over any animal on our roads.
- The Pukeko are not indigenous to New Zealand, therefore it is not a protected species.
Council is not responsible for the death of the Pukeko on public roads. I would suggest maybe contacting Game and Fishing for further information.
Kind regards
Compliance Officer
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December 26, 2023
Thank you for your response. The pukeko is indeed a bird native to New Zealand. See https://fishandgame.org.nz/taranaki/game-bird-hunting-in-new-zealand/new-zealand-game-bird-species/pukeko/
While I understand that many think they are pests, I have witnessed drivers running over the birds without even a tap on the brakes. So it sure does seem to me that this is thought to be normal—to run over the birds without a thought.
I am not sure I understand why the council cannot remind people these are living creatures who do not deserve to be flattened for no reason. Yes, they cross the road haphazardly but even so, stepping on the brakes is not too much to ask.
Marsha Schmidt
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That was the end of that dialogue. The birds continue to be flattened.
A Yank Among the Kiwis 