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The history of the kokako in the Hunua Ranges and contiguous districts is given so far as it is known. No literature prior to 1943 has been found for this area. J.W. St Paul’s sixty-five years experience of this bird, and, latterly, his work and that of others have proved that there has been a very serious decline in the population. Although seven nests were found between 1943 and 1953 only one, in 1962, was found in the nineteen years from 1953 to 1972, this in spite of intensive search in the later years. Fears for the future are entertained because exhaustive nest hunting efforts have failed for so long. Feeding is discussed, also the variation in songs and calls from those of further south. Of predators present Rattus rattus and the myna (Acridotheres tristis) are considered to be by far the most destructive agents and could well cause the extinction of the species here and elsewhere. Even if this bird does die out in the Hunua Ranges all this effort will at least have compiled much information and a certain amount of history.