 The kakapo is associated with a rich tradition of Māori folklore and beliefs . The bird 's irregular breeding cycle was understood to be associated with heavy fruiting or " masting " events of particular plant species such as the Rimu which led Māori to credit the bird with the ability to tell the future . Used to substantiate this claim were reported observations of these birds dropping the berries of the Hinau and Tawa trees ( when they were in season ) into secluded pools of water to preserve them as a food supply for the summer ahead ; in legend this became the origin of the Māori practice of immersing food in water for the same purpose . 
 The kakapo is associated with a rich tradition of Māori folklore and beliefs . The bird <a href='null_genetive' title='1'><mark>'s</mark></a>irregular breeding cycle was understood to be associated with heavy fruiting or " masting " events of particular plant species such as the Rimu which led Māori to credit the bird with the ability to tell the future . Used to substantiate this claim <a href='uninflect' title='2'><mark>were</mark></a> reported observations of these birds dropping the berries of the Hinau and Tawa trees ( when they <a href='uninflect' title='3'><mark>were</mark></a> in season ) into secluded pools of water to preserve them as a food supply for the summer ahead ; in legend this became the origin of the Māori practice of immersing food in water for the same purpose . 
The kakapo is associated with a rich tradition of Māori folklore and beliefs . The bird  irregular breeding cycle was understood to be associated with heavy fruiting or " masting " events of particular plant species such as da Rimu which led Māori to credit the bird with tdaability to tell the future . Used to substantiate this claim was reported observations of these birds droppin the berries of thdainau and Tawa trees ( when they was in season ) into secluded pools of water to preserve them as a food supply for thedammer ahead ; in legend dis became the dagin of the Mdai practice of immersing food in water fir the sadapurpose .