Category: Conservation

Source: Department of Conservation

Date:  30 January 2025

The assessment looked at 1145 species of birds, bats, lizards, and frogs, as well as land-based invertebrates and plants, to identify the most vulnerable which can then be prioritised for conservation action to help protect them from climate change impacts.

Of the species assessed, 351 or 31% were classified as highly vulnerable to climate change by the mid-21st century, rising to 746 (65%) by late century.

Anni Brumby, DOC Senior Science Advisor and the report’s lead author, New Zealand is a hotspot for seabirds and known as the world’s seabird capital, which makes the changing climate a global survival issue.

“Seabirds travel internationally, but many depend on New Zealand’s territory for their breeding grounds. When we looked at climate change pressures such as projected sea level rise and warmer temperatures, fifty per cent of seabirds were assessed as highly vulnerable to climate change by mid-century.

“Snares penguin only breeds on one island and may have nowhere to go if climate conditions change drastically.

“Tara iti/fairy tern – New Zealand’s rarest bird – was found to be particularly vulnerable to climate change, as projected higher spring tides and increased storm surges could impact their Northland beach breeding ground and warmer temperatures could put additional stress on adults, chicks and eggs.”

All five New Zealand bat species were assessed as vulnerable by the late 21st century. Bats are already under pressure from predators, habitat loss, and human disturbance, which will only get more extreme as climate change progresses.

Many native plants identified as highly vulnerable in the assessment are already critically endangered and confined to rare ecosystems. Most South Island limestone dependent plants were assessed as highly vulnerable, such as the Castle Hill buttercup.

Pīngao, a taonga coastal plant species, is highly vulnerable to projected increases in coastal flooding and sea surges.

Reptiles and frogs already have small, highly fragmented populations. Climate change is predicted to increase the impact of current pressures, including habitat loss and introduced predators. The most vulnerable lizards include both alpine and coastal species.

Alpine invertebrates, including Paparoa tunnelling wētā, were also found to be vulnerable, as they may get increasingly squeezed out of their habitats with nowhere to go as the climate warms.

Anni says the large number of species assessed as highly vulnerable reflects the specialised habitats and threatened status of many native species due to small population sizes, limited distributions, and low reproductive rates.

“DOC’s ongoing work programme is focused on prioritising species and habitats where we can make the most difference. We know that when pressures are managed through tools such as invasive pest eradication, nature is restored and in turn, species and habitats become more resilient in the face of pressures including climate change.

“We also need innovative solutions such as establishing ‘insurance’ populations of rare species that could become extinct in a single extreme weather event and implementing nature-based solutions to help control climate-related erosion, for example.

“This information isn’t only useful for DOC – we also expect that other agencies, environmental NGOs, iwi, and communities will find this valuable data helpful to take action for nature,” Anni says.

DOC will continue its climate change adaptation research with risk assessments underway, focusing on highly vulnerable species to help identify any immediate action needed to prevent irreversible losses.

View the report

Trait-based climate change vulnerability assessments of terrestrial taxa in Aotearoa New Zealand

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Source: Department of Conservation

Date:  29 January 2025

Johannes Fischer, Department of Conservation Senior Science Advisor, says climate change impacts have the potential to wipe out the Whenua Hou diving petrel – a small seabird with cobalt blue feet that’s “like a flying penguin”.

“Their entire population breeds in the fragile sand dunes of Whenua Hou/Codfish Island, up to 20 m from the high tide line. Rising seas levels and increasingly frequent storms will eventually destroy their habitat on Whenua Hou. Over the last 10 years, 20% of the dune front has already gone,” Johannes says.

On 31 December 2024, 15 Whenua Hou diving petrel chicks were transferred from Whenua Hou to their new home. This is the first of five transfers over the next five years to move a total of 75 chicks – the number considered sufficient to build a new colony without causing any long-term impact to the Whenua Hou colony.

“Before humans arrived in New Zealand, Whenua Hou diving petrels bred all over the southern South Island and there were millions on Stewart Island/Rakiura. But until the recent transfer, they had reduced to a single population on Whenua Hou of just 210 individuals,” Johannes says.

Two years ago, mana whenua, DOC, fishers, the fishing industry, and Environment Southland developed an action plan to restore the petrels, which advised a second population at a new site was needed.

The group worked through a range of possible sites and identified an undisclosed, predator-free location within Whenua Hou diving petrel’s historic range as the best possible option.

All work is done in partnership with the Whenua Hou Committee (the advisory committee to the Minister of Conservation on the management of Whenua Hou), Ōraka Aparima Rūnaka, and Ngāi Tahu whānui.

Johannes says timing was crucial and the transfer had to take place roughly a week before the chicks fledged, before their homing instinct for Whenua Hou was developed.

“We hand-reared the chicks at their new home, and the last chicks fledged on 12 January 2025. Next season, we will translocate another 15 birds.”

“We expect the first group of translocated chicks to return to their new home as adults in October 2026. We’ll keep an eye out in anticipation.”

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Source: Department of Conservation

Date:  23 January 2025

DOC has received $4.2m from the International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy (IVL) to work with others to maintain highly-valued huts and tracks, over four years.

Dubbed the ‘Community Hut Programme’, this money allows DOC and BCT to work in partnership on DOC huts and tracks valued by the hunters, fishers, trampers and others who use them.

“The Community Hut Programme is critical to the Backcountry Trust and DOC being able to deliver extra value to the backcountry community,” says Rob Brown BCT’s National Operations Manager.

“Interested groups or individuals should contact the BCT to discuss projects they have in mind.”

Rob Brown thanks the generosity of the many volunteers and sponsors who are also critical in supporting the work.

The Department has a huge job, says DOC Director of Heritage and Visitors, Catherine Wilson.

“The Community Hut Programme will support others to maintain huts and tracks on public conservation land through volunteer work and donated materials.

“With a third of the country to manage, including thousands of species, huts, tracks, heritage sites and marine areas, we need communities behind us.

“Many DOC experiences are in high demand from Kiwis and international visitors. This popularity, combined with remote locations and increasing climate change pressures, puts strain on the visitor network and creates high maintenance costs.

“We want to deliver a shared backcountry network that connects people to nature through recreation and builds a collective commitment to the backcountry for future generations.”

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Source: Department of Conservation

Date:  23 January 2025

Ulva Island is a nature sanctuary in Paterson Inlet, 780 metres from Stewart Island/Rakiura. It is popular with visitors who come to experience the thriving wildlife.

It first achieved predator-free status in 1997 and has become a sanctuary for many native species, including Stewart Island brown kiwi/tokoeka, kākā, kākāriki, yellowhead/mohua, and South Island saddleback/tīeke.

DOC Acting Operations Manager for Rakiura, Bridget Carter, says intensive monitoring for rats is underway on Ulva Island.

“Our incursion response kicked into immediate action last week and the team has been checking traps and using lured cameras and rodent detection dogs to determine the extent of rat presence.

“Since the dead rat was found on 13 January, rat activity has also been captured on trail cameras. Further monitoring will tell us if this is a single rat or more.

“Our plan from here is to continue with increased surveillance and ongoing trapping efforts to monitor for further sign and catch any remaining rats. Toxin may be used sparingly where rats are known to be present but avoid traps.

“Although detecting rats on the island is disappointing, it does show the biosecurity monitoring system is working as it should,” says Bridget.

On average one or two rats manage to find their way to Ulva Island each year due to its proximity to Rakiura where rats are present. This risk increases when rat numbers are high on the mainland due to warm weather and food availability.

Visitors are being asked to keep an eye out for any signs of rat presence on Ulva Island – please take photos, record the location and report it to the DOC Rakiura Office.

DOC carried out a successful eradication operation on Ulva Island in the winter of 2023 after a breeding population of rats established on the island. The island was declared rat-free again in early 2024.

A single rat was caught in February 2024, with genetic analysis indicating this individual was not a survivor from the 2023 eradication. Intensive monitoring using a variety of methods following this incursion event showed the island was again free of rodents.

The risk of ongoing rat incursions on Ulva Island remains high while rats are present on Rakiura, and intensive biosecurity monitoring systems are needed to enable an effective response to protect Ulva Island’s predator-free status.

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Source: Department of Conservation

Date:  21 January 2025

The bird was struck between Whanganui and Raetihi on 20 November last year.

The driver reported the incident to the Department of Conservation and transported the injured bird to Wildbase Hospital, Tāwharau Ora Massey University where the young male was found to have respiratory issues and a fractured pelvis.

DOC Biodiversity Ranger Kelly Brider says the bird was alert and feisty throughout his recovery.

“We think that liveliness helped him to power through his rehabilitation, he was well and truly ready to go home!”

“We want to acknowledge the driver for doing the right thing, even going above and beyond to transport the kiwi to safety herself.

“We are also grateful for the continued work of Wildbase Hospital staff caring for and rehabilitating our special species.”

The kiwi, gifted the name ‘Tairei’ by members of hapū Whaikiterangi, was released on 10 January away from the road in the area he was found, with multiple generations of whānau present.

Kuia Karina Williams says the name is linked to the land.

“We gifted him the whānau name Tairei, which goes back to our great, great grandfather, I know our tūpuna will watch over him.”

Kelly says the bird was found near a wetland and retired farmland – bushy parts of  Ātihau Whanganui Incorporation land.

“They have predator control in some areas and are increasing their efforts. It all works toward creating a safe space for kiwi to thrive.”

Brown kiwi are listed as Not Threatened – Conservation Dependent, with numbers in Whanganui National Park and surrounding areas projected to grow by 1000 in the next few years.

“This success is thanks to landscape-scale predator control and community trapping programmes, along with increasing efforts by private landowners,” says Kelly.

“Tairei is a reminder that we are lucky to share this part of Aotearoa with these special birds and to take care and watch out for kiwi when driving.”

Anyone coming across an injured or killed kiwi should report it to 0800 DOC HOT (0800 362 468).

Background information

People and kiwi: Find out how you can help kiwi, including advice for dog owners, drivers and reporting incidents.

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Source: Department of Conservation

Date:  21 January 2025

In December, DOC reopened the main walking track to Mautohe Cathedral Cove after an extended closure due to damage caused by Cyclone Gabrielle, and concerns about visitor safety at a site with known risks. Funding from the International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy delivered reinstatement of walking access through a temporary re-route of the damaged track.

Tinaka Mearns, DOC’s Hauraki Waikato Taranaki Regional Director, says staff are pleased to see visitors enjoying the cove again.

“We have been manually recording the number of visitors on the Mautohe Cathedral Cove beach since 19 December, including Boxing Day and January 2 when visitor numbers peaked at more than 800 people.”

“The Coromandel DOC team says visitor levels at Mautohe Cathedral Cove are returning to pre-COVID levels, which indicates high demand for the experience offered at this picturesque site,” Tinaka says.

“The number of people enjoying the beach demonstrates the value of the investment in reinstating walking access – and the hard work of the staff, iwi, and contractors whose efforts ensured we could open it for this summer.”

Visitors to Mautohe Cathedral Cove are reminded there are no toilets on the beach, people should not linger under the archway or near the cliff faces, and anyone visiting the beach should take their waste with them when they leave. Toilets are provided near the Lees Rd entrance. An ideal time to visit is during low tide, which provides more space on the beach including distance from the risk of rock fall from the cliff face.

“Staff and ambassadors have been monitoring the site to ensure people have a great time and the place is well looked after,” Tinaka says. “We are really pleased visitors are making good use of the new toilets at the Lees Rd entrance, and are helping us care for this beautiful place.” 

Meanwhile, DOC has implemented a new process to manage weather and landslide-related risk at Mautohe Cathedral Cove.

The Trigger Action Response Plan (TARP) for natural hazard risk management at Mautohe Cathedral Cove establishes criteria for inspecting the site to manage public safety regarding landslide, rockfall, and treefall hazards.

DOC staff will monitor weather (particularly heavy rain) and seismic information, and if one of four triggers occurs, staff will inspect the track to decide necessary actions to minimise the risk to visitors.

If a worst-case scenario were to emerge, any decisions on track closure will be communicated through DOC’s website and directly to stakeholders.

“Ongoing geological risk at Mautohe Cathedral Cove is one of the main challenges we have at this site,” Tinaka says. “Having the TARP in place gives our staff a clear process and guidelines to manage visitor safety and minimising risk for visitors to Mautohe Cathedral Cove – and that’s an important priority.”

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Source: Department of Conservation

Date:  20 January 2025

It comes after a DOC ranger surveying coastal areas near their original habitat found new populations of these skinks, with one significant site estimated to hold over 22,000.

The release took place on the 15 of January with representatives of Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Waewae, DOC and Auckland Zoo staff present.

The skinks are being returned from Auckland Zoo, where they have been cared for and successfully bred since 2016, after their only known habitat was severely impacted by coastal erosion. The skinks were flown to Nelson by Air New Zealand and transported to the release site by vehicle.

These skinks live in a unique environment consisting of beach stones or “cobbles” and were believed to be in severe decline, occupying less than one hectare of coastline habitat in 2016. An assessment of the coastline was undertaken to locate a suitable, stable site to release the animals.

At the time, it was thought there were less than 100 left in the wild. Based on this information the species was classified as Nationally Critical and thought to be under imminent threat of extinction with every passing storm.

An emergency rescue salvage of 35 individuals was undertaken in 2016, with six more transferred in 2022. These animals have been cared for by expert herpetologists at Auckland Zoo and bred in the Zoo’s specialist facilities to reach 148 individuals.

DOC Biodiversity Project Lead Kate Simister says, “We are really pleased to have found the situation is not as dire as originally thought. Although significant threats such as sea level rise, coastal erosion and weeds encroaching on their habitat still face cobble skink in the long-term, for now, we can return the captive population to the wild and focus our efforts on in-situ management and protection.”

Auckland Zoo’s Head of Animal Care and Conservation Richard Gibson, says when a small number of skinks were rescued and sent to the Zoo in 2016, they were thought to be the last of their species, so the stakes were extremely high.

“Through a combination of prior experience and evidence-based adaptation, we quickly established a successful husbandry regime under which the skinks both thrived and reproduced.

“Genetic and demographic management plans meant these few animals quickly became the potential source to recover the species and we learned a great deal about their natural history while in our care, things that would help inform their eventual recovery.

“Now we know they’re not quite as close to the precipice of extinction we have the luxury of returning the Zoo population to the wild to reintroduce valuable genetics. We will continue to work with our DOC partners and iwi to plan for long-term security for this species living so precariously close to the edge,” explains Richard.

Ngāti Whātua Orakei representatives said a special karakia at Auckland Zoo for the Cobble skinks ahead of their safe return to the wild. Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Waewae representatives were also there to greet them on their Te Waipounamu arrival.

“On behalf of Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Waewae, we are so grateful to be a part of this amazing kaupapa, especially for our tamariki to be involved on this special day,” said Deputy Chair of Ngāti Waewae, Hamiria Ngaamo.

“It is also a great opportunity to grow and continue our connections with Ngāti Whātua Orakei, Auckland Zoo, and Te Papa Atawhai ki Kawatiri, who all have done such an incredible job taking care of these taonga for their safe return home.”

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Source: Department of Conservation

Date:  19 January 2025

Pod of whales stranded in Golden Bay, DOC and Project Jonah responding

Attribute to Andrew Lamason, DOC Acting Operations Manager Golden Bay

“We had a report come in yesterday afternoon of a pod of whales close to shore near Pakawau.  Our ranger who lives nearby was tracking them.

The pod of whales moved northward and stranded near Taupata Stream.

A large pod of whales had stranded and several were swimming nearby. They are pilot whales and are a range of ages and sizes.

Of those stranded, one passed away very quickly.

Our team and Project Jonah volunteers were out with the whales until dark last night. This includes several Project Jonah medics, their help is always greatly appreciated.

DOC Rangers and Project Jonah volunteers have been at the site from first light this morning. Gusty easterly winds are not making things easy.

We will be looking after the remaining whales until the tide turns around 2 pm. We will attempt to re-float them at high tide.”

Whale stranded in New Brighton, Christchurch has been re-floated

Attribute to Andy Thompson DOC Mahaanui Operations Manager

“We received a call around 4:30 pm yesterday of a dolphin stranded in New Brighton.

Local iwi Ngāi Tūāhuriri, DOC, and Project Jonah responded.

It is likely to be a young or juvenile Cuvier’s beaked-whale or an even rarer Gingko whale. Both are deep water species.

At 5:40 pm Project Jonah staff had the whale secured and pointing out to sea. The whale swam out, so it was a successful re-float.

The whale was seen later in the evening, just out behind the breakers.

It is a young and vulnerable whale and we are very hopeful of a successful outcome but we are very mindful it is likely we will see it again somewhere else along the coast.

We would ask the public to report any sightings of the whale to 0800 DOC HOT (0800 362 468).”

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Source: Department of Conservation

Date:  17 January 2025

Two well-equipped and experienced DOC rangers and a hut warden were in the right place at the right time to help a hiker who got into trouble near Maniniaro/Mt. Angelus in the Nelson Lakes National Park.

The rescue is a reminder of the importance of always carrying equipment and a PLB when in the backcountry, even for short trips after reaching the hut.

The rangers were camping in the area while carrying out kea monitoring work when they heard someone calling for help at about 9 pm on Tuesday night, just after heavy fog rolled into the area with a southerly change. They tried to find where the calls were coming from, moving carefully in the bad weather.

After about two hours, realising the person calling hadn’t moved location during that time and fearing they were injured, the rangers set off a Personal Locator Beacon (PLB) and reached DOC staff via radio so Police could be alerted.

At the same time, a hiker staying in Angelus Hut saw an empty bunk and recalled passing a woman on the north ridge of Maniniaro/Mt. Angelus, so alerted the hut warden.

The rangers, hut warden, and the hiker who alerted the warden carried out a coordinated search until about 1 am, but weren’t moving far because of the fog. The poor conditions forced the search to pause until first light.

Ricki Mitchell moving carefully through the fog during the Maniniaro Mt. Angelus rescue on Wednesday morning
Image: DOC

Early on Wednesday morning, the four people searching resumed the coordinated search in the fog. After a few hours, they found the hiker on the edge of some bluffs below the north ridge of Maniniaro/Mt. Angelus but couldn’t get to her.

The hiker was not hurt but was cold and wet, as she had left most of her tramping gear at Angelus Hut.

In the meantime, two LandSAR Teams assembled but could not fly in by helicopter due to the weather conditions, so were preparing to travel across Lake Rotoiti by boat and then head in on foot. 

The rangers tried a different route and made their way carefully down to the hiker’s position. They warmed her up and walked her back up to the ridge and down to Angelus Hut. The weather conditions remained poor throughout the day and with the steep terrain, the recovery took until mid-afternoon.

The SAR teams were stood down just before being deployed as it became clear the two rangers had the situation in hand.

After a night in Angelus Hut, the rangers and the hiker walked out together on Thursday.

Ricki Mitchell, one of the rangers involved, says they were determined to find the hiker and it was an amazing moment to get her back.

“The lesson to be learned is if you’re going out, even for a short trip from the hut, tell someone your intentions and make sure you’re carrying good equipment, including a PLB and headtorch, at all times. The conditions just change up there so quickly.

“Having the right gear and technology like GPS made a real difference, knowing we had everything we needed to be safe. When you’re up there traversing scree and navigating drop-offs and can only see a few metres, it’s pretty intense.

“We were lucky it worked out the way it did, given the horrendous weather. If she had to stay out another night, there was a real risk of hypothermia.”

She says the rescue was a team effort, with everyone involved working closely together and communicating well.

DOC’s Nelson Lakes Operations Manager John Wotherspoon says the hiker was in challenging terrain, and it was fortunate there were competent and experienced DOC field staff in the area who could safely get to the woman to rescue her without putting themselves at undue risk.

“Nelson Lakes National Park has alpine conditions right from the carpark and the weather can change quickly, so its crucial hikers check weather forecasts and carry warm waterproof clothes, food, headtorches and a PLB at all times.”

Anyone heading into the backcountry is reminded to follow the Land Safety Code, which has five simple rules to help keep people safe:

1. Choose the right trip for you.
2. Understand the weather.
3. Pack warm clothes and extra food.
4. Share your plans and take ways to get help.
5. Take care of yourself and each other.

More information on the Land Safety Code.

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Source: Department of Conservation

Date:  14 January 2025 Source:  Department of Conservation and Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu

Without a serious turnaround, scientists predict hoiho could become locally extinct on the mainland within two decades.

Seasonal (2024/25) nest counts across coastal Otago, Southland, and Rakiura show numbers are substantially down compared to previous years, with an ongoing decline of 80% since 2008/09.

Nest numbers are only part of the picture, the higher concern is there are currently less than 100 yellow-eyed penguin chicks on Stewart Island and mainland New Zealand, and of these there is no guarantee of their long-term survival.

As long-lived seabirds, hoiho have a low reproductive rate and low juvenile survival. Of the chicks that will shortly fledge, it is expected that less than 20% of these individuals will survive to adulthood.

Declining mainland hoiho numbers point to multiple threats including disease, introduced predators, human disturbance, a significant shift in adult diet, fisheries bycatch, and marine predation.

“Work to save this taonga species includes predator control, monitoring nests, disease and injury treatment, starvation interventions and planting of native vegetation to restore hoiho habitat,” says Aaron Fleming, DOC Southern South Island Director of Operations.

Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu hoiho recovery representative Puawai Swindells-Wallace has visited nesting sites from Waitaha down to Rakiura and seen first-hand the hard mahi conservation rangers and volunteers are doing to try to save this species from extinction.

“We have some really good people on the ground, but with such a large range to cover, it is extremely challenging,” says Puawai.

“Hoiho are a taonga species for Ngāi Tahu and it is unthinkable that we could lose them – we don’t really know what impact that could have on the whole ecosystem.

“We need to collectively increase our capacity to support the hoiho to regain their rightful place on our beaches and in our moana.”

They were coined ‘the people’s penguin’ and won the Bird of The Year competition in 2019 and 2024, but recent mainland hoiho/yellow-eyed penguin nest counts have experts worried.

The Yellow-eyed Penguin Trust recently appointed Anna Campbell to lead the organisation, with a focus on innovation to accelerate restoration of coastal ecosystems.

“Nest and chick numbers are critically low on mainland New Zealand,” says Anna. “Now is the time to come together, be bold and brave – collaborating can enhance our potential to protect the hoiho.”

“We are committed to a future where hoiho thrive in the natural environment.”

The Hoiho Governance Group includes DOC, Yellow-eyed Penguin Trust (YEPT), Ngāi Tahu, and Fisheries New Zealand, working together to implement Te Kaweka Takohaka mō te Hoiho – a strategy for pulling hoiho back from the brink of extinction.

The Governance Group relies on the support of everyday New Zealanders to do this. If you want to know how to help, please get in contact with one of the above partners.

Background information 

The Department of Conservation, Yellow-eyed Penguin Trust, Wildlife Hospital Dunedin, Penguin Rescue, Penguin Place and other groups, are all working together (for the above-mentioned predator control, monitoring nests, disease and injury treatment, starvation interventions and planting of native vegetation to restore hoiho habitat).

‘Northern’ hoiho population

Best current estimates of nests/breeding pairs across the ‘northern’ population of hoiho including the mainland and Rakiura:

2008/09:739
2020/21: 232
2021/22: 219
2022/23: 195
2023/24: 163
2024/25: 143

Southern/subantarctic hoiho population

In 2017, an estimate of 570 breeding pairs was made for the Auckland Islands. This was consistent with an estimate made in 1989 of a minimum of 520 breeding pairs. 

There are no recent estimates for the Campbell Island population. The last estimate was in 1992 of about 350 – 460 breeding pairs.

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