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. Fewer than 40 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 the Department of Conservation (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 the programme, which includes 6 permanent and 8 seasonal staff.
