Whio released for first time in Moeraki valley

Date:  31 January 2025

The young birds were released on January 30 by representatives of Ngāti Māhaki and DOC rangers.

Whio are a unique threatened duck species found only in Aotearoa on clean, fast-flowing rivers. Releasing captive-bred juveniles is part of a wider strategy to boost whio numbers in the wild.

Paul Madgwick, Chairman of Ngāti Māhaki says of all the taonga species, whio are especially treasured.

“These birds were once common on most rivers in South Westland and even lend their name to the name of our river, the Makaawhio (Jacobs River) -- stream (maka) of the blue duck (whio).

“Sadly, whio populations have been ravaged by predators over many years which makes Ngāti Māhaki so excited to welcome back whio into the upper Moeraki where we hope they will thrive,” says Paul.

DOC Biodiversity Ranger Antje Wahlberg says the South Island’s whio captive breeding programme has been incredibly productive and its success is a collaborative effort by many conservation organisations.

“For some years we have been releasing juvenile whio into the Central Southern Alps Security Site behind Hokitika, where funding from Genesis Energy as well as predator control by DOC and other agencies including OSPRI help us sustain an extensive predator control network.

“That security site is now filled to capacity with whio, a great success meaning we could branch out into Moeraki valley for the first time.”

The chicks were hatched to captive-held parents at Orana Wildlife Park in Christchurch and Kiwi Park in Queenstown, as part of the South Island breed-for-release programme.

“The whio parent genetics come from the Ngāti Waewae Central Southern Alps takiwā and we’re grateful for hapū support of this kaupapa,” says Antje.

“Raised by the Isaac Conservation and Wildlife Trust at Peacock Springs, the birds then enjoyed all-expenses paid flights to the West Coast thanks to Air New Zealand. It’s a real team effort.”

Isaac Conservation and Wildlife Trust CEO Rob Kinney says the Trust is proud to be involved in the whio recovery program.

“Our facilities are well suited to the raising and conditioning of whio with clear flowing streams passing through our specifically purposed waterfowl aviaries.”

Less than 3,000 whio remain in New Zealand, in part due to the threat of introduced predators like stoats.

Almost 50,000 hectares in the Moeraki area receives regular predator control targeting rats, stoats and possums. This has helped make the Moeraki River an ideal site for reintroducing whio.

“Moeraki valley ticks all the boxes to give these young whio a fighting chance – regular predator control, good quality habitat, and plenty of space – so we have high hopes for them,” says Antje.

Contact