Cutting tracks for flourishing whio

Date:  24 March 2025

Whio are a threatened duck species unique to Aotearoa New Zealand. If they disappear from here, they’ll be gone forever.

Work to protect whio in the Central Southern Alps began in 2004 with trapping in the Styx Valley. The trapping network quickly grew to include the valleys of Arahura, Taipo and Kawhaka behind Hokitika. The latest expansion into the Rocky and Griffin Creeks is the culmination of years of effort to protect whio in the area.

Department of Conservation Biodiversity Ranger Antje Wahlberg says the site has been the slow and steady “tortoise” of the South Island security sites where active protection of whio is underway.

“Although the other sites increased quickly to 50 or more protected pairs, Central Southern Alps has seen a slow but steady increase in its whio population thanks to predator control and our breed-for-release programme,” Antje says.

“Rocky and Griffin creeks are a small but productive area for whio, and they fill a geographic gap we had in the centre of the Security Site. It feels like we’ve finally connected the dots.”

“Thanks to the consistent support from Genesis we’ve been able to make this progress – we expect to count 50 protected pairs at our next full census.”

DOC and Genesis have been protecting whio together since 2011, and staff involved in the partnership are excited to be celebrating Whio Awareness Week from 24-30 March.

Kate van Praagh, GM Sustainability at Genesis, says the company’s staff are proud to support conservation efforts for whio.

“It’s great seeing the outcomes of many years of trapping. Whio Awareness Week is a special time to shine a spotlight on whio and the amazing mahi being done to help whio thrive by communities in places such as the Central Southern Alps.”

Antje says the steady success of whio in the Central Southern Alps has only been possible with a network of contributors including Isaac Conservation and Wildlife Trust, Willowbank Wildlife Reserve, Orana Wildlife Park, Kiwi Park Queenstown, and volunteers, as well as the support of Te Rūnanga o Makaawhio and Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Waewae.

“We can all be part of whio recovery, so look out for whio this Whio Awareness Week!”

Background information

• Whio Awareness Week is being celebrated 24-30 March 2025, with the theme ‘look out for whio’.
• Whio/blue duck are a unique species found nowhere else in the world.
• Whio are river specialists living on fast-flowing rivers.
• Healthy whio populations indicate healthy rivers and streams. The more breeding pairs of whio, the healthier the river.
• The survival of whio largely depends on the protection of secure source populations throughout mainland New Zealand.
• Genesis partners with DOC to support the Whio Recovery Programme nationally.
• Learn more about the Whio Forever programme and the Genesis - DOC partnership at Whio Forever partnership

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