Kaitiaki lead efforts to save rare ngutukākā as biodiversity crisis deepens

A new report from Tāngaro Tuia te Ora – Endangered Species Foundation has spotlighted the urgent need to protect Aotearoa’s lesser-known taonga species, emphasizing the vital role of Māori-led conservation efforts. While national attention often focuses on iconic birds like the kiwi, the Foundation’s Priority Species work identifies 40 additional species and a habitat type currently sitting on the brink of extinction. Among the most critical situations is that of the ngutukākā, or kākābeak. Despite being a common sight in domestic gardens due to its distinctive red flowers, its survival in the wild is under severe threat. The Foundation reports that Northern ngutukākā is now extinct in the wild, while Eastern populations are declining rapidly due to weed competition and pest browsing. However, hope remains through dedicated Māori-led kaitiakitanga. In Tairāwhiti, local Māori are leading efforts to revive these populations, utilizing traditional knowledge and active guardianship to protect the remaining wild plants. The Foundation’s work also draws attention to other vulnerable taonga, including the South Island long-tailed bat, which relies on ancient beech trees, and the lowland longjaw galaxias, one of the country’s rarest freshwater fish. The research underscores that protecting these species requires a holistic approach to protecting the whenua. For the long-tailed bat, this means maintaining centuries-old forest cavities that cannot be easily replaced. By identifying the specific conservation actions and costs required to save these species, the Foundation aims to prevent further loss of the ecological strands that make up New Zealand’s biodiversity. The inclusion of Māori-led initiatives highlights that the path to recovery for these taonga is deeply rooted in the relationship between Indigenous communities and their ancestral lands.