KAKAPO PARROTS - Finding Kakapo "still possible"

New Zealand's Stuff has an optimistic view from the recent Kakapo hunt.

It's still possible there are kakapo in Fiordland even though a three-week search came up empty, a Waikato man says.

Maungatautari Trust ecologist Chris Smuts-Kennedy was one of several experienced conservation workers who took part in the latest search which replicated one he had been on in the 1970s.

During his 2½ week hunt, Mr Smuts-Kennedy tramped to five areas between Dusky and Doubtful Sounds where kakapo sightings had been reported.

They spent nights playing recordings of the bird's calls and listening for males booming.

"Certainly it was disappointing. We all had hopes, they weren't high hopes I suppose, but it needed to be done."

Five groups tramped through the park but found no sign of the birds.

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