Grey Ghost Rhys Buckingham calls the South Island kokako, the "most beautiful songbird in the world". He likens its resonant call to the ringing of Tibetan bowls, or the tolling of a cathedral bell. Problem is, most experts think the South Island kokako is extinct. There are no photographs of the bird, no good recordings. The last accepted sighting was 50 years ago. But Rhys believes he hears the kokako. Occasionally, he even sees it. So do a few others. And those same skeptical experts also admit that if anyone can find the kokako, it will be Rhys. He's been trying now for 24 years. A 30-minute acoustic feature first broadcast 21 July 2002 by Radio New Zealand. Produced by Allan Coukell, with technical assistance from Jeremy Ansell and Andre Upston. Additional recordings by Rhys Buckingham and John Kendrick. Contact to arrange local broadcast, or visit prx.org

© Copyright Allan Coukell 2002, Image © StirlingImages.co.nz