Birds | Ngā Manu
Aotea Great Barrier is home to many birds that are not often seen on the mainland. Protection of these taonga (treasures) is a priority for iwi and many members of the island community. Aotea was once home to many more bird species than we see today, including burrowing seabirds, kōkakō, tīeke, hihi and pōpokotea (whitehead). Rats and feral cats are responsible for their loss. Read more about the Lost Treasures of Aotea here.
In 2023 we will publish the State of Our Birds, a comprehensive assessment of data on the status of birds on Aotea, edited by Professor John Ogden et al.
This is why there are so many dedicated programmes for the control of rats and feral cats all over the island. Here are some of the taonga species which call Aotea home.
Kākā
Aotea Great Barrier is home to a significant permanent and larger transient population of North Island kākā, as anyone with fruit trees on the island knows. Nesting kākā are vulnerable to stoats and possums on the mainland but these are not present on GBI. Kākā calls and whistling song is a feature of life on the Barrier.
Kākāriki
A small remnant population of red crowned parakeets or kākāriki are hanging on in the Okiwi valley and around Hirakimatā. Kākāriki have responded well breeding on Motuhaku (Wellington Head) following the eradication of rats there. These beautiful birds travel in small flocks chattering distinctively as they pass.
tūturiwhatu (Dotterel)
The east coast beaches of the Barrier are home to about 50 New Zealand Dotterel which are nationally vulnerable. Beach care groups protect nest sites at the height of summer but breeding is difficult for these birds, with high seas, gulls, rats and cats all responsible for loss of eggs and chicks.
Moho pererū (Banded rail)
Aotea people are well acquainted with these normally shy birds, which are abundant in many settlements on the island.
Kererū
Aotea Great Barrier is a stronghold for kererū and they are a frequent sight on bush fringes around the island. Read our latest publication on this amazing bird in Environmental News #45 - Essential Kererū
Toutouwai (North Island Robin)
Robins have been reintroduced to Aotea within Glenfern Sanctuary and Little Windy Hill Sanctuary. Birds have moved outside these areas and are believed to be breeding on Hirakimatā.
Miromiro (Tomtit)
Some tomtits are believed to be hanging on on Hirkimatā and can sometimes be seen from the Windy Canyon track.
