New campaign for pūteketeke/crested grebe

Source: NZ Department of Conservation

Date:  04 December 2025

The pūteketeke hit global headlines when comedian John Oliver launched a campaign to have the Australasian crested grebe take out the New Zealand Bird of the Century title in 2023.

Now the Department of Conservation (DOC) is launching its own mini campaign for pūteketeke after reports from the public that nests were being disturbed at the Ōhau C Campground, a popular summer destination for camping and launching boats into Lake Benmore.

DOC Senior Biodiversity Ranger Jen Schori says that there are significantly more nests around the lakeshore this year compared to last year and they are very close to the campground facilities.

“We need people to be much more aware when out naturing of where these birds are nesting. We will be putting up signs around the lakeshore before the busy Christmas holiday period asking people to watch out for pūteketeke.

“What’s super inspiring is a very keen member of the public took the time to send us some detailed photos of where the nests are around the lake. We will put these on our website, and it would be awesome if anyone going to the lake could use these as a guide and look out for pūteketeke. We might see if we can get John Oliver involved as he was pretty keen on the pūteketeke last time,” she laughs.

“The actions of this member of the public to send us the photos and do something to protect the crested grebe nests are the essence of what ‘naturing’ is all about – being aware of and protecting these special unique birds.

“One of the things we really want to reinforce to people this summer, is just take a moment and be aware of what’s around you. It’s a small way you can protect vulnerable species.”

Jen Schori says there are actions boaties and locals can take which include driving boats slowly into the shoreline to reduce wake and disturbance, checking the shoreline before pulling into shore, keeping dogs on leads and under control when out walking, and observing pūtekteke from a distance.

“It is an offence under the Wildlife Act to disturb native species,” she says.Pūteketeke are considered nationally vulnerable and were once found throughout New Zealand. Now they are only found in the South Island living on lakes but requiring vegetation around the lake margins for nesting and shelter from rough weather. They attach their floating nests to underwater vegetation.

At least 100 South Island lakes once had grebes but they have been in decline in Marlborough, the West Coast and in Fiordland. Only Canterbury and Otago remain as strongholds. Animals like stoats, ferrets, feral cats, and raptors can prey on eggs and fledglings. Introduced fish and birds compete for food and breeding space.

The pūteketeke became world famous during the Bird of the Century competition when John Oliver dressed up as one on his TV show and talked about the bird’s unusual habit of eating small feather bones to induce vomiting, its mating rituals and its striking appearance with spikey head feathers.

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MIL OSI