A wild kaka has been sighted in Palmerston North for what is believed to be the first time ever.

Palmerston North Victoria Esplanade aviary technician Peter Russell spotted the native bird and believes it is the same bird he first saw in Memorial Park back in June.

The latest sighting was in a totara tree above the Esplanade's captive kaka aviary on Monday.

GRANT MATTHEW / FAIRFAX NZ The wild kaka, should you see it, should look like this bird, housed in the Kowhai Park aviary in Feilding

Russell said the bird spent a bit of time "conversing" with the two kaka in the aviary before it was chased off by a tui.

He had not heard of wild kaka being sighted in Palmerston North city before.

The Department of Conservation estimates there are fewer than 5000 kaka nationwide, making it less common than kiwi.

The kaka had a red band on one of its legs, from which Russell determined meant it had likely come from Wellington wildlife sanctuary Zealandia, or Boundary Stream Mainland Island reserve north of Napier.

Kaka have been known to frequent the Wairarapa and Kapiti regions.

Zealandia communications, media and marketing manager Cameron Hayes said most of their birds tended to stick around Wellington.

"They have been known to travel, I don't think we've had them travel to Palmy."

If the kaka was from Zealandia, it would likely be one of the sanctuary's younger birds from last year, he said.

Zealandia conservation manager Raewyn Empson said their kaka tended to stick around the Wellington region.

"We have had reports of our banded kaka in New Plymouth and Palmerston North, as well as one that travelled up to Pukaha Mt Bruce and then back. They are very capable of travelling big distances."

Empson said kaka prefer lowland and mid-altitude native forest, and usually nest in hollow trees.

Zealandia had banded over 600 kaka since they were first released in 2002 but were unsure how many were now in the reserve or the Wellington City area because many were now unbanded. At least 30 breeding pairs were confirmed to be in the reserve.

Russell is still trying to get a decent glimpse of the bird's second leg band, which will establish exactly which breeding pair and nest it has come from.

Russell said it was exciting to have a wild kaka "endorse" the Esplanade, which will be the site of the new Wildbase Recovery centre. The conservation project includes purpose-built aviaries for wildlife to recover from illness and injury after treatment at Massey University's Wildbase Hospital.

Kaka will have a special part in the Wildbase Recovery plans. The existing breeding pair will be housed in the walkthrough aviary, allowing public an up-close and personal experience with the nationally vulnerable parrot.

Recovering kaka will be placed in the circular aviary. As they rehabilitate, they will be able to stretch their wings and upon full recovery, will be released back into the wild.

Wildbase Recovery Community Trust is tasked with raising the $5.69 million needed to build the recovery facility. To date $2.57m has been raised.

The public are urged to treat the bird with quiet respect should they stumble across it.

Public sightings can be reported to the Palmerston North Department of Conservation office, ideally with location and if possible, the bird's leg band colour combinations.