NZ Society for 30 April 2014

David Steemson goes to Muriwai to record gannet calls.

Radio New Zealand has just recorded the gannet colony at Muriwai Beach and the sound will soon be broadcast 12 hours a day on Rotoroa Island.

Auckland Zoo and the Rotoroa Island Trust have joined forces to establish a new wildlife sanctuary on the island. As well as the gannets, the zoo will bring in saddleback birds, lizards, weta and kiwi.

Zoo workers have been building gannet nests on the island, and will set up decoy gannet models. Once the bird noises are switched on, it's hoped the gannets will come.

Gallery: Gannets for Rotorua Island

Decoy gannet birds