Two Kākāpō are being flown home to Whenua Hou Island on Wednesday morning, having survived the threat of a deadly fungal disease.
The birds have been at Auckland zoo after a rampant aspergillosis outbreak in April.
More than 50 were brought from their island sanctuaries to the mainland for treatment - a quarter of the total population.
Dr Lydia Uddstrom, a vet at Auckland Zoo, speaks to Corin Dann.
