A New Zealand endemic, classified as vulnerable, it occurs in two distinct populations, one in the north
of North Island, the other on Stewart Island, both being largely sedentary although there is some movement
in winter. In the last century birds bred widely in South Island, but now the range has contracted greatly, there
being less than 1500 birds left. The bright orange breeding plumage is rarely seen as it is not kept for long, and
is quite variable in terms of depth of colour.
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