The Robin's Return

“These three birds are over half the world population of their species.” Peter Hayden’s narration lays bare the stakes for the Chatham Island black robin, and the Wildlife Service team (led by Don Merton) trying to save them. Merton’s innovative methods include removing eggs from nests – to encourage the last two females to lay again – and placing them in riroriro (grey warbler) foster homes. The black robin documentaries helped forge the reputation of TVNZ's Natural History Unit. Paul Stanley Ward writes about the documentaries here, and the mission to save the black robin.

...although the [Mangere] island is quite large, the actual habitat involved is very very small: it's only about five hectares. This in itself would be a danger, to have a world population of any species just in a tiny bush remnant like that.

– Don Merton

Key Cast & Crew

Paul Donovan

Camera operator

Rod Morris

Producer

Peter Hayden

Producer, Narrator

John Gibson

Composer - Wild South theme

Tony Trotter

Executive Producer

Merv Aitchison

Sound