Key Habitats
Wetlands
Wetlands – in the form of swamps, fens, lakes, bogs, and estuaries – are home to a large number of the country’s endemic and endangered wildlife. Once covering 2.4 million hectares, 90% of New Zealand’s wetlands have been lost to drainage for agriculture and dairy farming since European colonization. The wetlands hold an importance to the Maori peoples, as they historically have provided Maori with sustenance, building materials, and medicines. The remaining wetlands are considered some of the most threatened ecosystems in New Zealand, with threats including continued drainage, pollution, and invasive species.
Tussock grasslands
Covering about 13% of New Zealand, indigenous grasslands are an important component of the country’s ecology, supporting many species of reptiles and birds. Tussocks are known for their unique ability to collect water, with a single tussock can collect up to half a liter of water each hour from fog alone, 80% of which gets dispersed into soil, which feeds mountain streams. Beginning 10,000 years ago, native tussock grasses have dominated these environments, forming mosaics across the landscape with their clumping growth patterns. The grasslands have shrunk considerably throughout New Zealand’s history due to the use of fire to control the movement of grazing animals and converting the area to pastures, bringing in exotic species that threaten the native tussock.
Coastal marine habitats
New Zealand’s marine habitats are known as hotspots for biodiversity, home to over 17,000 species, half of which are endemic. Temperatures fluctuate across the country’s waters, from the subtropical Northland to the subantarctic Aucklands, giving rise to such a wide variety of wildlife. These coastal ecosystems boost reefs, canyons, methane seeps, underwater volcanoes, and seamounts. These hotspots face a growing number of threats, endangering its vibrant wildlife, including pollution, overfishing, and climate change.
Southern Alps
The Southern Alps, or Kā Tiritiri o te Moana (the Mirage of the Ocean) is a mountain range that weaves along most of the entire length of New Zealand’s South Island, known for its glaciers and lakes. Many plants have adapted to the mountain’s alpine climate: grasses, shrubs, flowering plants, mosses, and deep-rooted plants dot the landscape. The mountainous region is home to a wide variety of New Zealand’s endemic species, including the rock wren and kea. Climate change has greatly affected the glacial cover of the mountain range, a third of which has melted away due to rising temperatures.
Most Pressing Issues
Biodiversity loss
New Zealand has dealt with major biodiversity loss since humans settled on its land. Initial burnings lead to a major decrease in native forests and a wave of extinctions. Acclimatisation societies in the 1800s introduced a wide variety of foreign species, ultimately threatening native populations which up until that point faced little natural predation. The Grayling, a once plentiful native fish, rapidly declined in the early 1900s. When legislative protection was granted in the 50s the species hadn’t been seen in over 20 years, and is now considered extinct. In the 1960s/70s Maui’s and Hector dolphin populations rapidly declined due to increased netting. About 50,000 were killed during this period. New Zealand has one of the highest extinction rates in the world, with nearly one-third of its native land and freshwater birds lost to extinction. Sixty two percent of ocean-going seabirds are listed as threatened, a high proportion by international standards. Well-known species of concern include the Hector’s dolphin (both subspecies), New Zealand sea lion, southern right whale, Fiordland crested penguin, and New Zealand fairy tern. Fishing Biomass in Hauraki Gulf/Tīkapa Moana has decreased by 50% in the last 100 years. Trevally, snapper, shark, and dolphin populations have dramatically decreased in the bay and crayfish/kōura are now considered “functionally extinct.” While major extinction events have plagued history, positive recovery efforts have been made. In 1995 a recovery effort for the flightless kakapo, which faced extreme population decline, was initiated. Today the population, while still extremely small, is at its largest point since the 1970s with 252 birds. Movements to protect marine areas and regulate fishing have helped maintain New Zealand’s unique biodiversity that faces threats from all sides.
Invasive predators
Invasive species have wreaked havoc on New Zealand’s ecology for centuries. Birds who previously had no major predators were specifically targeted by these new predators. Rats, mustelids, possums, and rabbits were among the species that came in the boats with both Polynesian explorers, and later European colonists. During the 1800s, acclimatisation societies began to form. Acclimatisation Societies hoped to “improve” upon the natural wildlife, but ultimately introduced predators to the islands that lead to the decline and extinction of many native species. Salmon, trout, rabbits, deer, opossum, wallaby, rats, weasels, stoats, and dozens of varieties of birds were all introduced. Sheep herding, another output of species introductions, lead to the practice of tussock burning throughout the country. By burning the native grasses, farmers were able to provide more adequate feed to their sheep, but simultaneously contributed to a growing soil erosion problem. Today, over 20% of New Zealand’s birds that made the country their home at the arrival of the Polynesians have gone extinct. Predator Free movements, sparked by renowned physicist Paul Callaghan, have been organized to combat this issue in New Zealand and plans to eliminate rats, stoats, and possums from the country by 2050.
Climate change
With the rise of droughts, fire, heatwaves, and other natural disasters as a result of growing temperatures, climate change has become a growing ecological concern for New Zealand ecosystems. Growing temperatures have been detrimental to wildlife across habitats, many species unable to adapt to abnormal temperatures and invasive species taking their place. The effects of climate change can be seen in the iconic montane regions of New Zealand, as glacial melting has rapidly increased in recent years. This not only alters the landscape, but threatens an important source of freshwater for much of the South Island and cuts off a critical defense against drought. Many scientists warn that these glaciers could disappear within the decade.
Soil degradation
In the 1800s, sheep herding became a lucrative industry. In order to provide adequate feed for their sheep, farmers would regularly burn native tussock lands in order to stimulate the new growth of grasses. Over time, this practice damaged the natural ecosystem of the grasslands, leading to major soil erosion. Another introduced species, the rabbit, exploded across the nation. Rabbit populations would burrow in hillsides, weakening the land and soil integrity. Major floods like the Kõpuawhara disaster in 1938, which led to the loss of 21 lives, showed the consequences of soil erosion and extreme weather. As a direct reaction, the Soil Conservation and Rivers Control Act was passed in 1941. The legislative body had concluded that soil erosion had reached a serious stage, and if uncontrolled would accelerate rapidly. Through proper management the problem of soil erosion no longer threatens the habitat like it once did, but is a clear example of how human practices and foreign species can easily degrade the natural landscape.
Water pollution
Despite New Zealand’s image as “clean and green”, the country has faced growing pollution problems, particularly from industry and plastic. Its freshwater rivers are among the developed world’s most polluted waters. Dairy farming and large-scale irrigation have been identified as a major culprits to pollution, growing in severity since the 1980s. Pollution not only poses a major threat to human health, contaminating some of the country’s most popular swimming holes, but is harmful to wildlife. As surface feeders, turtles and endemic seabirds are known to ingest plastic, causing them to starve. Nutrient pollution has also caused lethal algal blooms to rise through New Zealand waters, threatening shellfish and other wildlife. In recent years, Māori iwis (tribes) have sought authority and autonomy over the waterways in their tribal areas in effort to protect these sacred rivers from pollution.
How You Can Help
The Nature Conservancy
With two-thirds of its plants and animals found nowhere else in the world, Aotearoa New Zealand is a place of global conservation significance. We are working to support the conservation aspirations of New Zealanders to protect this special place for future generations.
Learn More about The Nature ConservancyProject Janszoon
We’re working with the Abel Tasman Birdsong Trust, the Department of Conservation, iwi -Ngāti Tama, Ngāti Rārua and Te Ātiawa – and the community to restore the park’s rich wildlife. Together we’re getting rid of pests and weeds, bringing back native wildlife and bush, and inspiring a culture of care for the Abel Tasman.
Learn More about Project JanszoonFriends of Flora
The objective of the society is to implement, in partnership with the Department of Conservation, a conservation strategy to bring about the protection and/or return of endangered and threatened flora and fauna to the Flora Stream catchment area in Kahurangi National Park. This will enhance the experience for all visitors to this popular area, resulting in wider community appreciation and use of the Park.
Learn More about Friends of FloraThe Brook Waimārama Sanctuary
The Brook Waimārama Sanctuary is the largest fenced Sanctuary for endangered plants and creatures in the South Island. We are working to bring nature back to Nelson, Te Tau Ihu (the top of the South Island) and New Zealand via a wildlife sanctuary on Nelson city’s doorstep.
Learn More about The Brook Waimārama Sanctuary
