The kākāpō (Strigops habroptilus) is one of New Zealand’s unique endemic treasures with fewer than 160 known surviving adults and juveniles. It is listed internationally as a critically endangered species. Its New Zealand threat status is listed as Threatened-Nationally Critical. Kākāpō are found on Whenua Hou (Codfish Island) near Stewart Island, Anchor Island and Te Kakahu (Chalky Island) in Fiordland, and Little Barrier Island (Hauturu-o-Toi) near Auckland (Figure 1) and its major threats are infertility, disease and low genetic diversity.
There was a kākāpō breeding season of unprecedented magnitude in 2019
Figure 1: Location of the three main islands where kākāpō are concentrated. A smaller population exists on Hauturu-o-Toi/Little Barrier Island.
Figure 2: Age and sex ratio as of 24/06/2019
Note: adults, juveniles and chicks are defined as:
| Class | Age range |
|---|---|
| Adult | > 5 years |
| Juvenile | 150 days - 5 years |
| Chick | <150 days |
Figure 3: Number of kākāpō deaths by age class since 1990.
The entire known kākāpō population remains intensively managed with detailed information about a variety of parameters collected for all individuals. A relatively equal population sex ratio, an increasing number of young birds and high annual survival along with intensively managed breeding seasons and population manipulation (designed to maximise genetic diversity) have all combined to propel kākāpō from rescue to recovery.
This measures is classified as a case study and incorporates information from all known extant individuals within the population.
This measure relates to indicator 1.4.2 Security of threatened and at risk taxa.
Intensive management and low numbers of individuals allow for regular and complete census of the entire population and the resultant assessment of key demographic parameters is therefore extremely accurate. This measure complies with the data quality guidelines used in New Zealand’s Environmental Reporting framework.
The Department of Conservation’s (DOC’s) Outcomes Monitoring Framework provides a platform on which DOC and others can assess outcomes in a clear, structured and transparent way (Lee et al., 2005). It has been developed as a logical hierarchy that is based on broad, overarching Outcomes, beneath which are nested Outcome Objectives, Indicators, Measures and Data Elements to provide ever increasing levels of detail. The framework is scalable, as the indicators and measures remain compatible and consistent whether applied locally, regionally or nationally. The recently updated framework provides a roadmap for gathering information to meet the specific objectives of DOC and other agencies (McGlone and Dalley, 2015). The provision of a national framework with agreed outcomes, indicators and measures supports collaboration with land management and regulatory agencies, allowing for more integrated environmental policy and ‘State of the Environment’ reporting. DOC has partially implemented a national monitoring and reporting system, whereby priority indicators and measures are routinely used to report on progress against the objectives and outcomes. This factsheet reports on a measure for the 2018/2019 year.
Lee, W., McGlone, M., Wright, E., 2005. Biodiversity inventory and monitoring: A review of national and international systems and a proposed framework for future biodiversity monitoring by the Department of Conservation. Landcare Research Contract Report LC0405/122 (unpublished) for the Department of Conservation, Wellington.
McGlone, M., Dalley, J., 2015. A framework for Department of Conservation inventory and monitoring: Intermediate outcomes 1-5. Landcare Research Contract Report LC2427 (unpublished) for the Department of Conservation, Wellington.