Help save the New Zealand fairy tern/tara iti

The guardian spirit of New Zealand’s shore

In Māori mythology, ‘tara’ speaks of spiritual messengers who bridge earth and sky. Today, the tara iti—New Zealand’s fairy tern—embodies this ancient connection, but their song grows fainter with each passing season. Less than 35 of these ethereal creatures remain, making them our most precious endemic treasure. 

Legacy at the Brink 

These remarkable birds are no larger than a sparrow yet they face a critical moment in their thousand-year story. The tara iti exist in just five sanctuary sites north of Auckland, where they perform their age-old dance of survival along our coastlines—from the shores of Mangawhai to the windswept sands of Papakānui. 

They are ranked as Threatened – Nationally Critical, the highest threat level for species in Aotearoa New Zealand, and carry the ‘Category A’ priority for conservation action. A Recovery Plan is currently in action (Tara iti Program) and support is needed to save this endangered bird.  

We can make a difference 

Since 2017 DOC has invested in an intensive and scientifically robust Tara iti Recovery Programme, supported in kind by more than 15 iwi, community and volunteer groups.In the 2024/25 breeding season DOC will provide $930,000 of funding towards Tara iti recovery which includes 6 permanent and 8 seasonal staff. 

NZ Nature Fund in partnership with DOC is seeking to raise $1.57 million over the next five years to accelerate DOC’s efforts to save our rarest native bird, and to ensure the species survives beyond the next 50 years. We can all get behind this and boost the current recovery efforts and accelerate the tara iti population recovery

The Tara Iti Program, forms a circle of guardians protecting these mystical beings.

Those who invest will help to: 

1. Create new sanctuaries where these remarkable birds can court, nest, and raise their young 
2. Shield their breeding grounds through sophisticated predator control 
3. Fund crucial winter surveys in the Kaipara Harbour, helping us to understand their seasonal journeys 
4. Share their compelling story, inspiring a new generation of coastal stewards 

A breakdown of the investment is as follows:

Year 1 (2024-25) $46,000

1. Development of new safe breeding sites within existing species range $46,000

Year 2 (2025-26) $461,495

1. Tara iti Habitat Creation (creation of new and maintenance of shell patches at existing and new breeding sites)  $36,225
2. Predator control buffer program  $172,500
3. Pest control monitoring  $51,750
4. Advocacy and communications plan implementation (Helping New Zealanders have an increased understanding of tara iti and coast ecosystems; tara iti and advocacy material developed and available i.e. education packages )  $97,520
5. Winter site survey for tara iti range (Kaipara Harbour) Fuller understanding of habitat utilisation in winter period to support with protection (i.e., predator control)  $103,500

Year 3 (2026-27) $319,355

1. Set up new safe breeding sites (cost per site – up to 3 new sites over the next 5 years) $48,300 plus items 1-4 as above from previous year

Year 4 (2027-28) $302,105

1. Set up new safe breeding sites (cost per site – up to 3 new sites over the next 5 years) $431,050 plus items 1-4 as above from previous year

Year 5 (2028-29) $443,962

1. Set up new safe breeding sites (cost per site – up to 3 new sites over the next 5 years) $69,407 plus items 1-4 as above from previous year