Eco-sanctuary Zealandia has welcomed two new takahē, after much-loved Puffin died unexpectedly earlier this month.
And it could be the first time little baby takahē get to call downtown Wellington home.
The native bird was thought to be extinct in the 20th century, before being rediscovered in Fiordland in 1948. It's since made a major comeback, although there are still believed to be only around 300 in the world.
Nio and Orbell, who move in next Monday, are a breeding pair with plenty of parenting experience already.
Their chicks have helped repopulate the species across the country and Dr Danielle Shanahan, Zealandia's manager of conservation and research, is hopeful Wellington could see some babies as early as this summer.
"We're really hopeful! It's a really exciting time for us to be part of broader takahē conservation and recovery," she told Newshub.
"It's a really special species. This gives a chance for Wellingtonians to be part of something so special."
Nio and Orbell are 15 and 17 years old respectively, so Dr Shanahan says it's likely they've still got a few years left to breed.
"The fact that it is so close to downtown Wellington gives it a really good chance for people to see this incredible species and be able to connect with it," she said.
"Just that alone really enhances the conservation value of having them right here in the city."
When 21-year-old Puffin died at the beginning of this month, her mate, T2, was left the sole takahē at the sanctuary.
The 22-year-old is set to move to a quieter area to live out the rest of his life in peace.
Newshub.
