New Zealand’s rarest bird, the tara iti, or fairy tern, is showing signs of recovery this summer, with conservationists “cautiously optimistic” about the breeding season.
With fewer than 40 individuals left, the tiny beach-dwelling bird is six times rarer than the famous kākāpō. So far, 10 chicks have fledged in the wild during the 2024-25 season, meaning they can now fly and find food on their own.
The tara iti population has faced major challenges in recent years. A devastating cyclone in 2022-23 wiped out five adults and all but one chick. However, the birds made a strong comeback in 2023-24, with their best breeding season in a decade. Now, conservationists hope the positive trend will continue.
These rare birds nest at just four locations north of Auckland: Papakānui Spit, Pākiri Beach, and the Waipū and Mangawhai sandspits. A new conservation project aims to establish up to five additional breeding sites to secure their future. In addition to the 10 wild-fledging chicks, another eight have been successfully hand-raised at Auckland Zoo.
Predators, off-leash dogs, and extreme weather continue to threaten the species. Conservation efforts include habitat protection, predator control, and hand-rearing chicks to boost numbers. The NZ Nature Fund is working to raise $1.57 million over the next five years to expand breeding areas and improve nest safety.
People can help protect tara iti by staying out of fenced nesting areas, keeping dogs on leashes, properly disposing of waste, and avoiding driving on beaches.
