Saxophonist wanted to help get birds breeding in new ad via Barnes, Catmur & Friends Dentsu – all applicants welcome. Kenny G preferred

Since 2016, Meridian Energy have partnered with the Department of Conservation’s Kākāpō Recovery Programme (KRP) in their efforts to revive this critically endangered native parrot, of which there are only 147 left.

As a 100% renewable energy generator, Meridian is committed to helping protect our natural environment and the precious species that inhabit it, supporting their efforts through science, technology and state-of-the-art Smart Eggs that help the incubation process.

Trouble is, these are only good once breeding kicks off. So Meridian, along with Barnes Catmur & Friends Dentsu, decided a little creativity might be needed to give these treasured native parrots a helping hand. And by hand, we mean saxophone.

The campaign puts a call to the nation to help save a species with what is widely recognised as the smoothest, most romantic instrument out there. The hunt for a local saxophonist (or famous international curly-haired one) will run through social, digital, print and radio.

Says Michael Healy, chief marketing officer of Meridian Energy: “We’re aware the science behind saxophones and kākāpō breeding is as yet untested, but we have our suspicions that sax has contributed to an awful lot of human reproduction through history and with only 147 of these precious birds left, at Meridian, we’ll stop at nothing.”

The winning saxophonist, whether they’re a gifted local or the legend Kenny G himself, will professionally record a song for the kākāpō that will be available for download on the Meridian Energy website.