Reintroductions to large, connected, unfenced sites generally have a high failure rate. Dispersal is likely a key factor, with vulnerable species moving beyond the protection of managed areas. However, adequate resources for monitoring, and the difficulties associated with tracking small, mobile species means there is poor understanding around post-release dispersal and habitat selection. We undertook a reintroduction of toutouwai/North Island robins (Petroica longipes) into a large, connected forest site in Turitea Reserve. We monitored toutouwai for 11 weeks following translocation using radio-telemetry, drones and call playback to determine site fidelity and territory establishment. Touotuwai had a higher site fidelity than predicted based on analysis of previous translocations, with 20 of the 40 birds known to be alive and remaining within the 2000-ha reserve boundary at the start of the next breeding season. Habitat selection during dispersal and territory establishment phases followed similar patterns. However, birds had an increased preference for areas with increased soil moisture and a taller canopy. Distance from the release site was also more important when determining territory location compared to dispersal. Toutouwai dispersed across 1116 ha of the reserve and travelled up to 7 km during initial exploration. However, they contracted to settle within 300 ha of core habitat with all final territories within 900 m of the release location. Monitoring is a critical component of reintroductions, and effective monitoring can help identify patterns of dispersal and establishment that may influence long-term persistence and enable adaptive management practises to improve reintroduction outcomes.