Source: Department of Conservation
Date: 08 April 2025
Tara iti/NZ fairy tern is New Zealand’s rarest endemic breeding bird. With fewer than 45 individuals, the tara iti is nationally critical and despite intensive management has teetered on the brink of extinction since the 1980s.
Senior Biodiversity Ranger Alex Wilson says the tiny Tara iti weighs a mere 70 grams, but the youngster from a “plucky and feisty” species clocked up more than 1700 km during four epic flights in February and March. The bird, part of the DOC-Auckland Zoo Tara iti captive rearing programme is fitted with a small “backpack” transmitter to track its movements.
Over two days in late February, the little Tara iti covered 508 km on a trip around Northland, leaving from and returning to Kaipara Harbour. Two weeks later, in mid-March, it set off on the first of two visits to Thames in Coromandel, covering more than 600 km in total.
“Its final effort was the most impressive, leaving Kaipara on 21 March, arriving in New Plymouth late the next day – clocking up 324 km,” Alex says.
“Over the course of the next three days it returned to Kaipara – with a stop at Kawhia on the way – adding a further 320 km to its journey.”
Alex says it’s not clear why or whether all juvenile Tara iti travel so far, or whether adults also accompany them.
“Up until now we have had to rely on incidental reports of juvenile Tara iti outside their known habitats – so the tracking data from this bird gives valuable insight into the capabilities of young birds.
“A better understanding of their movements and habitat use is a vital development for the programme and the species survival,” she says.
“We’re encouraging people around the North Island to keep an eye out for Tara iti, and report sightings to taraiti@doc.govt.nz, because they could be popping up in all these places,” Alex says.
The public can now donate directly to Tara iti recovery project.
Over the next five years, the NZ Nature Fund in partnership with DOC is seeking to raise $1.57 million for tara iti conservation from public donors and philanthropists. The funds will be used to accelerate DOC’s tara iti recovery programme and ensure the species survives beyond the next 50 years through a number of initiatives such as;
- Developing between three and five new safe breeding sites within the birds existing habitat range, but outside the four main current nesting sites.
- Creating new habitats with shell patches at the existing and new breeding sites.
- Expanding the buffer predator control range so all tara iti breeding have sufficient control to ensure protection.
To donate visit NZ Nature Fund
Background information
DOC works closely with partners, including iwi groups Patuharakeke Te Iwi Trust Board, Te Uri o Hau Settlement Trust, Nga Maungawhakahii O Kaipara Development Trust, Ngāti Wai Trust Board, and Ngāti Manuhiri Settlement Trust, Auckland Zoo, The Shorebirds Trust, NZ Fairy Tern Charitable Trust, About Tern, Birds NZ, Auckland Council, Tara Iti Golf Club, NZ Nature Fund and local trapping groups.
Generous support for the breeding season has been provided by organisations such as the Shorebirds Trust, Endangered Species Foundation, Pākiri Beach Holiday Park, Auckland Council, Manāki Whitebait, Tongariro National Trout Centre, and New Zealand King Salmon.
Contact
For media enquiries contact:
Email: media@doc.govt.nz
