Mateless again, Ihi the takahē on Kāpiti Island, where it was hoped she might find new love with the late Noam, from Mana Island.

It was meant to be a new home, a new girlfriend, and a new life away from bullies for Noam the half-blind, hard-luck takahē in 2018.

His "rough run" has continued.

The takahē transferred in late December to Kāpiti Island, north of Wellington, died just weeks after taking up residence with a potential mate.

JOHN NICHOLSON/STUFF Kāpiti Island from Raumati on the Kāpiti Coast.

Noam the takahē was moved from nearby Mana Island to partner up with resident female Ihi, who lost her two male companions - likely to old age - last year.

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The Department of Conservation's Melody McLaughlin, Kapiti Wellington ranger supervisor, said Noam died in early January, at his new home.

LEON BERARD Ihi the takahē feeds a chick on Kāpiti Island.

Noam had recently had "a rough run of it" on Mana Island, McLaughlin said.

"He lost his mate just before the breeding season and was being beaten up regularly by other takahē."

In 2017 Noam lost sight in one eye from an injury, and vision in his other eye was also deteriorating.

SUPPLIED A view of Mana Island from Plimmerton.

"After he was translocated to Kapiti Island in December to pair up with Ihi, we were optimistic that he might form a good bond with her and settle well but unfortunately this was not the case."

Noam was well known and well loved by rangers on both Mana and Kāpiti.

"He had produced two chicks in his time on Mana Island, both of which are still present within sanctuary sites."

ROSS GIBLIN/STUFF A takahē at Zealandia, in Wellington.

His remains went to Wildbase at Massey University for necropsy and the results showed that he had lost significant weight, she said. "Whether this was due to underlying illness could not be determined from necropsy."

The takahē was thought to be extinct, till 1948 when Geoffrey Orbell rediscovered the flightless bird in Fiordland.

McLaughlin said there were now three takahē on Kāpiti Island -- a pair called Mingi and Bellamy, and Ihi, who returned from her winter feeding grounds last year without her two male companions, Ahoake, 18, and Bargie,19.

"DOC doesn't have any plans at this stage to transfer another male bird to Kāpiti. But takahē do much better with company, so we will assess whether there is anyone else suitable to pair up with Ihi prior to the next breeding season."

Mana Island had the largest island breeding population of takahē outside of Fiordland. There were 17 adult takahē and seven chicks in Mana, she said.

Kapiti and Mana Island are both part of the network of 17 sanctuary sites housing takahē.

DOC's Takahē Recovery Programme saw the population reach 347 last year - a 13 per cent increase in 12 months, McLaughlin said.

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