WHIO
Stats at a glance
Since 2006
19 pairs along 41 km of waterway ('11)
0.46 pairs per km
29 juveniles
18 pairs along 33 km of waterway ('14)
0.54 pairs per km
32 juveniles
>2x average density nationally
1 ‘recovery site’ designation; Waiau and Te Hoe river catchments
2022/2023*
Our focus at Maungataniwha in 2022/2023 was on Cyclone Gabrielle Recovery; bad weather prevented our annual whio survey.
16 pairs at Maungataniwha ('20/'21)
16 pairs observed at Pohokura:
10 juveniles
1 single male
* FLRT 2023 Annual Report
Whio, commonly known as Blue Duck, are highly endangered, threatened by predation – mainly by stoats - and loss of habitat. This is a localised species holding territories on fast-flowing mountain rivers in forested areas.
Classified as ‘endangered’ by the International Union of Conservation for Nature (IUCN) and as ‘nationally vulnerable’ by DOC, the whio – named for the high-pitched whistle made by the male - has been severely impacted by exotic predators such as stoats.
Once widespread throughout New Zealand’s back-country rivers, the whio population is now severely fragmented and chick counts are falling.
We are involved in establishing secure breeding areas for the whio populations of both the Maungataniwha Native Forest and Pohokura.
These are not captive breeding programmes. They’re about encouraging whio to call our properties home because they’re safe places to live and breed.
