Caring for Kea in Matukituki Valley

Directed and filmed by Benjamin Brooking
Edited by Juliana Machado
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In February 2023 I was commissioned by Auckland Zoo to follow their bird keeper, Jaz, as she worked with the Kea Conservation Trust to monitor, catch, and band, Kea in Mt Aspiring National Park, in the Southern Alps of New Zealand.

Filming took place over one day and one night. I carried all of the equipment I’d need for the shoot two hours up to the treeline, and was self-sufficient, except for the generosity from Kim to let me share his tent for the night. I was able to join the team and walk in with them, and then one filming was finished I could depart to let them carry on their work for the rest of the week.