Threatened species in Kapiti Marine Reserve

Introduction

Which threatened species are present in Kapiti Marine Reserve?

Marine mammals

Humpback whales pass by Kapiti Island on an annual migration from Antarctica to their breeding grounds in tropical waters. They are sometimes spotted in the marine reserve in winter. Killer whales/orca are also regular visitors.

New Zealand fur seals/kekeno haul out at Arapawaiti Point (at the northern end of the island) in winter. Common dolphins are regular visitors to the marine reserve. Although not threatened, these species are fully protected.

Species and classification

The table below lists the threatened and at-risk species that feed in the marine reserve or pass through it regularly. The species are classified using the New Zealand Threat Classification System.

Threatened and at risk species in the marine reserve
  Common and Māori name Species Threat status
Marine mammals      
  Killer whale/orca, kera wēra Orcinus orca Nationally Critical
Seabirds      
  Sooty shearwater, tītī Puffinus griseus At Risk Declining
  Fluttering shearwater, pakahā Puffinus gavia At Risk Relict
  Black-billed gull, tarāpunga Larus bulleri Nationally Critical
  Red-billed gull, tarāpunga Larus novaehollandiae At Risk Declining
  Northern blue penguin, kororā Eudyptula minor iredalei At Risk Declining
  Reef heron, matuku moana Egretta sacra Nationally Endangered
  Banded dotterel, piopio Charadrius bicinctus Nationally Vulnerable
  White-fronted tern, tara Sterna striata At Risk Declining
  Black-fronted tern, tara piroe Chlidonias albostriatus Nationally Endangered
  Caspian tern, taranui  Hydroprogne caspia Nationally Vulnerable
  Pied shag, karuhiruhi Phalacrocorax varius At Risk Recovering
  Variable oystercatcher, tōrea pango Haematopus unicolor At Risk Recovering
Estuary birds      
  Bar-tailed godwit, karoro Limosa lapponica At Risk Declining
  South Island pied oystercatcher, tōrea pango Haematopus finschi At Risk Declining
  White heron Ardea modesta Nationally Critical
  Wrybill, ngutu pare Anarhynchus frontalis Nationally Vulnerable
Freshwater fish      
  Giant kōkopu Galaxias argenteus Declining
  Inanga Galaxias maculatus Declining
  Kōaro Galaxias brevipinnis Declining
  Lamprey, piharau Geotria australis Threatened
  Longfin eel, tuna Anguilla dieffenbachii At Risk Declining
  Shortjaw kōkopu Galaxias postvectis Threatened

Reports

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