year, a festival is held in Punakaiki to celebrate the return of the petrel to its only known breeding sites, close to the town. It is a weekend-long festival in April or May that includes live music, various entertainment activities, and a local market. The festival begins with a viewing of the birds as they fly overhead and make their way to their nests in the mountains at dusk. Ecotourism There is an ecotourism business in the area that provides viewing opportunities at the breeding colony located on private land. Harvesting of chicks Westland petrel chicks have historically been harvested for food in a practice known as muttonbirding, although this is not thought to be part of traditional Māori food gathering practice in this area. References External links Westland petrel – tāiko at Department of Conservation Westland petrel – tāiko at West Coast Penguin Trust Westland petrel – tāiko at Paparoa Nature Tours Photos and fact file – ARKive Tāiko Festival information Westland petrel Westland petrel Birds of the South Island Vulnerable fauna of Australia Westland petrel Westland petrel Grey District