Source: Department of Conservation

Date:  04 February 2025

So far, 10 chicks have fledged in the wild meaning the tiny juvenile shorebirds have grown strong enough to fly and survive on their own. Crucially, another eight chicks have been successfully hand-raised at Auckland Zoo through DOC’s ongoing partnership with the facility.

Although this is promising progress for tara iti, the breeding season still comes with challenges. DOC staff remain vigilant, keeping an eye out for threats like off-leash dogs, predators, and extreme weather.

With fewer than 40 individual tara iti remaining, every nest, egg, and chick is critical to the survival of the species.

“We’re pleased with how the season is progressing, but there’s still a long way to go.” says DOC Ranger Nikki Hartley.

DOC staff attribute the season’s progress to a combination of management techniques and collaborative conservation efforts, including:

• enhanced predator control – hundreds of traps have been deployed to safeguard nesting sites from predators such as cats, mustelids, and rats
• chick-rearing techniques – egg collection and chick rearing at Auckland Zoo continue to support population recovery
• research initiatives ongoing studies help DOC understand tara iti population dynamics and threats, guiding conservation strategies
• habitat protection protecting and maintaining key nesting sites provides safer environments for tara iti to breed.

Tara iti now breed at only four key sites north of Auckland: Papakānui Spit, Pākiri Beach, Waipū, and Mangawhai sandspits.

“Auckland Zoo is proud to provide the expert husbandry support to DOC in recovering this rarest of New Zealand’s breeding birds,” says Richard Gibson, Head of Animal Care and Conservation.

“When a species has declined to such a precarious low, intensive management techniques like incubation, hand-rearing and head-starting are critical to helping to significantly increase productivity and hopefully turn the tide of decline to see tara iti flourish once again”.

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, 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.

Everyone has a role to play in protecting tara iti. Here’s how you can help:

• stay out of fenced areas and use designated walkways
• avoid nests and chicks while enjoying beaches and estuaries
• keep dogs on leads and out of reserves
• dispose of bait, fish scraps, and rubbish to deter predators
• avoid driving or cycling on beaches
• if a bird swoops at you or appears injured, move away quickly as you’re likely near a nest.

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

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